House of Faith

The 'House of Faith' plaque is installed at a mid-Victorian terraced house in Chapeltown, at 21 Leopold Street. It is said to 'reflect the ever-changing community of Chapeltown'. First built in 1860 it was housing for middle-class residents. It became a Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in 1924, and from 1924 to 1960 the Sinai Reform Synagogue. In 1961 it became the first mosque (Jinnah Mosque) in Leeds, before it was turned back into housing in 1974. 

The plaque was sponsored by Unity Housing Association and unveiled in 2012 by Ruth Sterne and Councillor Mohammed Rafique.

Blue Plaques have been installed in Leeds since 1987 by Leeds Civic Trust, commemorating people, events, and buildings.

The History of Jinnah Mosque

Jinnah Mosque was the first mosque in Leeds. The building at 21 Leopold Street was bought in 1958 and turned subsequently into a mosque to cater to the needs of Muslims in Leeds. It served its community in the 1960s up to 1974. However, with a growing Muslim population and migration, the mosque became too small, and a larger building was bought at 48 Spencer Place. Under the management of the newly formed Leeds Islamic Centre, existing buildings were expanded, and further buildings were added to the Leeds Islamic Centre Complex in the years to follow.