St Michael le Belfrey, York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Michael le Belfrey |
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St Michael le Belfrey, York
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| 53°57′42.1″N 1°4′58″W / 53.961694°N 1.08278°W | |
| OS grid reference | SE 602 521 |
| Location | York |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Charismatic Evangelical |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | St Michael |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Designated | 14 June 1954 |
| Style | Gothic |
| Groundbreaking | 1525 |
| Completed | 1537 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Michael le Belfrey York |
| Deanery | York |
| Archdeaconry | York |
| Diocese | Diocese of York |
| Province | Province of York |
St Michael le Belfrey is an Anglican church located in York, England. It stands right across from the famous York Minster in the city center. This church is a very old and important building.
History of the Church
The church building you see today was built between 1525 and 1537. It replaced an even older church that had been there since at least 1294.
This church is famous for a few reasons. One well-known person, Guy Fawkes, was baptized here on April 16, 1570. He later became a Roman Catholic and was involved in the failed 1605 Gunpowder Plot.
Another important event was the wedding of Christopher Levett, an English explorer from York, in 1608. The church is also close to where the Emperor Constantine was declared Roman Emperor in 306 AD. Some of the beautiful stained glass windows from the 1300s are still in the church's east window today.
The front of the church and the bell tower were updated in 1867. Inside, you can see a fancy decorative screen behind the altar, called a reredos, from 1702. There are also old carved benches from the 1600s. You can also find special staircases at the back that lead to a balcony. These staircases are very rare and important because they are still in their original form.
The Church Organ
The first record of an organ in the church was in 1687. It was made from parts of an older organ. In 1885, a brand-new, large organ was installed. This organ was one of the biggest ever built by its makers, William Denman & Son of York. It was housed in a beautifully carved oak case.
Recent Changes
In the early 1970s, St Michael le Belfrey joined with a nearby church, St Cuthbert's Church, York. St Cuthbert's had grown a lot and needed more space. The church became known for a lively style of worship called "charismatic renewal." Around this time, in 1973, the old choir stalls and pulpit were removed. They were replaced with a modern pulpit and a stage for musicians.
The historic pipe organ, installed in 1885, was used a lot during this time. However, it was later allowed to fall into disrepair. By the mid-1990s, it could no longer be played. The organ was last used in 2000 and then became completely silent. In 2019, the organ was taken apart. It was then restored and moved to St Lawrence's Church, York in 2020. This way, the organ's history in York continues.
In 2018, the church, often called "The Belfrey," started a big repair project. This project involves making some significant changes to the historic building. A new balcony will be added inside the main part of the church. The old Victorian seats will be removed to create a more modern look.
The entrance area will have a place to get refreshments. There will also be new meeting spaces and restrooms. A special pool for full-immersion baptisms is also planned. This pool will be accessible for wheelchairs.
Some groups, like the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, have raised concerns about these changes. The project is expected to cost over £10 million. About 30% of this money will go towards much-needed repairs, including a new roof. The church received permission for the external changes in April 2023. The work is expected to start in early 2024.
The Church Today
The church continues to be a lively place. On Sundays, there are usually three services. A more traditional service is held at 9 am. The "XI" is a family service at 11 am, and "The6" is an evening service. Both the "XI" and "The6" have a more informal, modern worship style.
On Wednesdays, there is a "Faith in the City" service at 12:30 pm. This short service is for people working in the city. A light lunch is served afterward.
The church works with several groups, including the Riding Lights Theatre Company. They also partner with York Schools and Youth Trust (YoYo) and Alpha UK. These groups help with mission work both locally and around the world. The church is part of the One Voice York, Evangelical Alliance, and New Wine networks.
The Belfrey is a large Anglican church. The current leader is the Reverend Andy Baker. Other senior clergy include Reverend Vicky Earl and Reverend James Congreve-Horn.
See also
