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Robert de Basford or de Ashby founded a Cistercian priory at Catesby in c1175 and endowed it partly with income from Basford, it is one of only four churches in England dedicated to St Leodegarius.

A thousand year old wall carving, a 17th century Fox’s Book of Martyrs hidden within its walls, 14th century Crusader crosses and a 15th century skull from the the War of the Roses.

Claimed to date back to around 520AD, the present tower was built in the 13th century, and most of the body of the church was rebuilt in the 19th century.

In the early 1960s a space was left on the plans of the High Ash estate for a church or community building.

Opened in 1905, the church is famous for its 1966 carvings at the top of the pillars by the sculptor Witold Gracjan Kawalec, representing Work, Peace, Mercy, Hope, Life, Guidance, Humility, Justice, Grace and Music.

The church is Victorian and was built by the 10th Duke of St Albans for use by his family, estate workers and the villagers.

Through its long and fascinating history the church, which is at the heart of Pontefract town centre, has continuously developed to meet the changing needs of the community it serves.