St Michael le Belfrey Church, York

For several years there has been a massive fundraising effort to enable the interior of this church to be transformed into a flexible multipurpose building more suited to the current congregation. The building work is due to start quite soon, so while I was in the city centre yesterday I called in to take some photos to add to those that I already have of this building.

It is an interesting old building, with quite a history. It is located across the road from York Minster. St Michael-le-Belfrey is the only church in York to have been built in the 16th century and is the largest pre-Reformation parish church in the city. It was built under the direction of the master mason to the Minster, John Forman, between 1525 and 1536. It replaced an earlier mediaeval church that was so badly maintained that parishioners were afraid to enter the building for services. The church takes its name from the Minster Belfrey which stood on the site before the church was built.

Guy Fawkes, the infamous Gunpowder Plot conspirator, lived in nearby Petergate and was baptized in this church. An enlarged page from the church register recording his baptism is displayed inside the church.

There have been various previous updates to the interior of the church - at least four are recorded - so its not stranger to change. Having arrived home and researched the latest changes to be made, I was surprised at their extent. I look forward to seeing the changes when they are completed in a couple of years time.

Ian

[gloria jones]

Wonderful capture of this church's interior...great narrative

[Joan Robillard]

Lovely

[Vesna]

Beautiful windows! I would like to see this church after severl years.

[william wooderson]

You certainly have some wonderful architecture in York. Fav!

[Judith Johnson]

It's a lovely interior already. I hope the new one is just as good!

[carol white]

A lovely interior and interesting narrative

[Margaret Brown]

Lovely interior shot and history

[Oli Lindenskov]

Lovely pic and story👍😊

[Peter Dulis]

nice job

[Pyrrhula]

Great capture of the architecture and interior of this nice church. Fav.

[Babs]

Lovely photo, nice symmetry and interesting story.

[Pat]

A lovely shot of this nice church, it will be interesting to see the changes when completed.

[Christine Sztukowski]

Lovely pov

[Kathy A]

Beautiful windows!

[Wylie]

good to have the 'before' shot. a lovely interior

[Dione Giorgio]

Lovely church interior and capture. I enjoyed reading your narrative, thank you.

[Fisher Family]

@seattlite @joansmor @vesna0210 @will_wooderson @busylady @carolmw @craftymeg @mubbur @pdulis @pyrrhula @onewing @pattyblue @365projectorgchristine @kjarn @pusspup @sangwann

Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.

Looking at some of the artists impressions of the planned interior of this church, it is more extensive than I had first thought. I'm a little surprised that the church received permission for such significant changes. Hopefully I will be back with my camera when the changes are completed.

Ian