In 1864, H. I. Jenkinson placed an advertisement in the Leeds Mercury inviting players to meet at Woodhouse Moor from 7 to 8 a.m. a few days a week. This ad attracted more than 500 members. As a result of this interest, several clubs were founded, including Leeds St John's.

Leeds St John's was founded in 1870 and was originally known as the Old Blue and Ambers. The club played at Militia Barracks from 1870 to 1888 before moving to Cardigan Fields near Headingley, Leeds. Membership was originally limited to church classes but was soon expanded. In 1887 St John's had reached their first cup final when they lost the Yorkshire Cup to Wakefield Trinity.

There were numerous rugby football clubs in the city of Leeds and although they were members of the Yorkshire RFU (which in turn was a constituent body of the RFU), it was decided to form a more 'local' club. For this reason the Leeds & District organization was formalized when a meeting was held at the Green Dragon Hotel in Leeds on 27 September 1888. The founding clubs were Bramley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Kirkstall, Leeds Parish Church, Leeds St John's and Wortley.