In 2000, the Ripon and Leeds Diocese of the Church of England undertook an audit, which identified the Beckhill and Miles Hill estates, together with some other Meanwood estates, as areas where churches had little impact.
Stainbeck United Reformed Church and St. Matthew’s, Chapel Allerton, already had a good history of ecumenical work. When they joined with Holy Trinity, Meanwood, the seeds of the Three Churches Project were sown.
Gradually the project began to take shape and the use of creative arts became central to it. The vision was to create opportunities to learn, try and experience different things - art, music, drama, writing, cooking, gardening etc, and in this way for members of the Churches and local communities to meet together on a level playing field.
On September 21st 2005, the project was officially launched, following the appointment of a full time worker in July of that year.
The Three Churches Project is now very much part of a wider regeneration strategy in North East Leeds, working alongside Council agencies, community groups, local residents and schools, with a desire to see real, grass-roots transformation of the area and lives changed.