Heslington Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heslington Church |
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St Paul's Church, Heslington
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| Location | York |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | Heslington Church |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Paul |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed |
| Architect(s) | J. B. and W. Atkinson (1858); Ronald Sims (1970s) |
| Years built | 1858 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 250 |
| Bells | 2 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Heslington |
| Deanery | York |
| Archdeaconry | York |
| Diocese | Diocese of York |
| Province | Province of York |
Heslington Church is located in the village of Heslington, which is close to York, England. This church serves the village, nearby homes, and even some farms. The University of York's Heslington campus is also part of the church's area.
This church is special because it's a "local ecumenical partnership." This means it's a joint church between the Church of England and the Methodist Church. It's one of only a few churches that work together in this way. Heslington Church was formed in 1971 when the old Saint Paul's Church and Heslington Methodist Chapel joined forces. The old Methodist Chapel is now used as the village meeting room.
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History of Heslington Church
The history of the Heslington area goes back a long way, with records mentioning the parish as early as 1299. For many years, until 1842, the church was managed by a special church official from Ampleforth. After that, the Archbishop of York became responsible for it.
Building and Design Changes
The main church building was first built in 1858. From the outside, especially on the south side, it still looks like a traditional Victorian church. However, it was changed and made bigger in the 1970s by an architect named Ronald Sims. He removed the old north wall and added new rooms, including a meeting area, a vestry (where clergy prepare), and a kitchen.
The part of the church where the choir and altar used to be is now a separate chapel. The main group of people attending services now sits in a semicircle facing a new altar on the north side. Sims's design used materials like exposed breeze blocks and concrete, which some people find interesting and others do not. Today, the building is a Grade II listed building, which means it's an important historical building.
Church Leadership
Because Heslington Church is a partnership, both the Church of England and the Methodist Church have a leader there. The Anglican vicar (Church of England leader) was Rev. Adam Romanis until he retired in August 2024. He was also the vicar of St. Lawrence's Church. The Rev'd Dr. John Schofield represents the Methodist Church and is also a chaplain at the University of York. The church uses special services that combine traditions from both churches.
Services and Meetings
Regular Sunday services are held at 10:00 AM. Besides the usual meetings during the week, the church also welcomes various groups from the University of York.
