Laurence York facts for kids

Laurence William York (1687–1770) was an important leader in the Roman Catholic Church in England. He was a Benedictine monk who later became a bishop, serving as the head of the Catholic Church in western England from 1750 to 1770.

Laurence William York: A Church Leader

Early Life and Becoming a Monk

Laurence William York was born in London in 1687. When he was young, he decided to join the Benedictine order, a group of monks. In 1705, he officially became a monk at St. Gregory's College in Douay, a town in France.

A few years later, in 1711, he became a priest. He took on leadership roles within his order, serving as the head, or "prior," of St. Edmund's in Paris from 1721 to 1725. After that, he was the prior at St. Gregory's from 1725 to 1729. In 1730, he moved to Bath, Somerset in England to help with the local Catholic community there.

Leading the Church in Western England

In 1741, Laurence York was chosen for an even bigger role. He became a "coadjutor bishop," which means he was appointed to help Bishop Matthew Pritchard, who was the leader of the Catholic Church in western England. On August 10, 1741, he was officially made a bishop. He was given the title of Bishop of Nebbi, which was a former church area in North Africa.

When Bishop Pritchard passed away in 1750, Bishop York took over as the main leader of the Catholic Church in the Western District of England. He held this important position for many years.

Later Years and Legacy

Bishop York retired from his duties on July 11, 1763. He returned to St. Gregory's College in Douay, where he had first become a monk. He passed away there on April 14, 1770, at the age of 83.

Today, a painting of Bishop York can be seen in the dining hall at Downside Abbey, a famous Benedictine monastery in England.