Until 1919 the area was entirely rural and people had to walk to St Mary’s Church, Ecclesfield for worship.  The building of Norwood Estate adjacent to Bishopsholme, the residence of the first Bishop of Sheffield saw the area change followed by the building of Longley Estate and then Shirecliffe.  In the beginning the Bishop allowed his private chapel, and then the barn, to be used for Sunday school and services until it became apparent that a new church was required. 

A site was acquired at the junction of Everingham Road, Longley Crescent with Herries Avenue for St Leonard’s.  The foundation stone was laid in 1932 and the lower floor completed in seven months.  It was to serve as a temporary church until the building was completed with the addition of the church above. 

In 1939 the foundation stone of the church proper was laid in the west front.  The construction proceeded until May 1940 when building had to cease because of the war.  Eventually, on 19th May 1950, the Parish Church of St Leonard, Norwood was completed.  On 16thMay 2010 we had a special Diamond Jubilee Celebration.  This was something of a reunion, especially as people from the earliest days of St Leonard’s were able to come.  Newer members of the church were able to view displays and photographs on show at the “bun fight” in the Community Hall.

A new booklet “A Hidden Gem” to celebrate the 60th Anniversary was published that describes the early years with a reflection on the church’s architecture and furnishings.