Walking Tour of York's Closed Churches with New Uses

Saturday 20th July. 11:30-14:30.

Join me for a walking tour through the heart of the medieval city centre in search of some of York's medieval parish churches which closed for worship many years ago and have since taken on new and varied uses.

We will visit six churches in this walk; with special access to see inside three of them: Holy Trinity Goodramgate (Churches Conservation Trust); St Saviour's, St Saviourgate (Jorvik DIG - York Archaeology) and St Margaret's, Walmgate (The National Centre for Early Music).

At each church we will consider the road from regular worship to closure, followed by the transition and search towards new use in the mid-to-late 20th century. This will be a unique opportunity to learn more about the adaptation of these ancient buildings and attitudes towards their continued use as community/heritage assets in a modern age. Above all else it is a celebration of new uses for ancient buildings!

The walk will last no more than 3 hours and cover no more than 3-4km in total distance.

The walk will start outside Kings Manor, Exhibition Square, York, YO1 7EP at 11:30. The tour will finish no later than 14:30 outside the National Centre for Early Music on Walmgate, York, YO1 9TL.

Lunch is not provided, but we will finish the walk within the vicinity of many local restaurants and pubs/bars - and you are very welcome to join me for a well-earned drink and a bite to eat!

Accessibility

This walk will cover several kilometers so do please wear sensibile (comfortable) footwear and bring a snack and a drink of water with you.

Holy Trinity Goodramgate has step free access but please be aware that step free access to the other churches on the walk is not guaranteed. If you have access requirements please let me know in advance and I will contact the venues to try my best to accomodate everyone!

About me

Rob Andrews: I have lived and studied (BA History of Art; PGDip Parish Church Studies) in York most of my life and I work for the Anglican Diocese of Leeds as the Assitant DAC Secretary in the Church Buildings & Pastoral Reorganisation team. I have previously volunteered my time with the Churches Conservation Trust in York, contributing to various interpretation projects including a collaboration with Google Arts & Culture, and as a Conference Director in Leeds for the Ecclesiological Society in 2021. I have organised my own walking tours of medieval parish churches in York for over 5 years and have led tours for variety of groups and organisations.

Host or Publisher Rob Andrews