Search churches in York
Find churches across York and the North Yorkshire towns.
York Minster and the medieval churches
- York Minster: the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St Peter, seat of the Archbishop of York, second in seniority in the Church of England. Its Great East Window holds the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world, and daily sung services continue a tradition stretching back to the 7th century.
- Holy Trinity, Goodramgate: hidden behind a row of shops, an untouched medieval interior with rare box pews and uneven floors, cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust and open to wander.
- St Michael le Belfrey: next door to the Minster, where Guy Fawkes was baptised in 1570, now home to one of the north's most active evangelical congregations.
- All Saints, North Street: celebrated for its medieval glass, including the remarkable Pricke of Conscience window depicting the last days of the world.
- St Wilfrid's: the Catholic church beside the Minster, run by the Oratorians, its arch said to frame the most photographed view in York.
A living church city
York's churches are not museum pieces. The Minster maintains one of the world's great choral traditions, St Michael le Belfrey draws hundreds of students and families each Sunday and has led a wave of church revitalisation across the north, and parishes inside and outside the walls hold regular worship in buildings their medieval founders would still recognise. Methodism is strong in Yorkshire and well represented in the city centre, the Catholic parish of St Wilfrid's flourishes, and newer congregations meet in schools and halls in the growing suburbs. York St John University adds a further student dimension, and the annual Mystery Plays revive the medieval guilds' great cycle of biblical drama.
Browse York churches in the directory
See every church we list in York, or explore Harrogate, Scarborough and the dales and moors towns on our North Yorkshire county page.
Practical notes for visitors
- Attending a service at the Minster is free; sightseeing carries an admission charge. Evensong, usually at 5.30pm, is the classic way to experience the building.
- Most city churches are within the walls and minutes apart on foot; a morning is enough for a rewarding church trail.
- Sunday services around the city generally start between 9.30am and 11am.
- Park and ride is strongly advised; driving and parking inside the walls is difficult, especially on weekends.
Frequently asked questions
How many medieval churches does York have?
Around twenty survive in and around the city centre, of which a good number remain in regular use for worship, with others serving as chapels, arts venues or conserved historic spaces that welcome visitors.
Why is York important in English church history?
York has been a Christian centre since Roman times and its archbishopric, established in 735, made the city the seat of the northern province of the English church, a role it holds to this day.