St Sampson's Church, York facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Sampson's Church
St Sampson's Church, seen from Church Street
St Sampson's Church Location in North Yorkshire
53°57′35″N 1°04′53″W / 53.95972°N 1.08125°W / 53.95972; -1.08125
OS grid reference	SE 60386 51911
Location	Church street, York
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
Previous denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	stsampsonscentre.co.uk
History
Former name(s)	Church of St Sampson, Girdlergate
Status	Parish church
Architecture
Functional status	Community centre
Heritage designation	Grade II listed
Designated	14 June 1954
Architect(s)	Frederick Bell
Architectural type	Parish church
Style	Gothic
Years built	1845–1848
Groundbreaking	Early 12th century
Completed	1480s
Closed	1969
Specifications
Number of towers	1
Bells	2

St Sampson's Church is a historic building in the city of York, England. It used to be a church but is now a community centre. You can find it on Church Street, close to St Sampson's Square.

St Sampson's Church: A Journey Through Time

St Sampson's Church has a long and interesting history. It stands on what used to be the wall of the ancient Roman city of Eboracum (which is what York was called back then).

Early Beginnings: Before the Normans

The very first church on this spot was likely built before the Norman Conquest in 1066. We know this because a piece of an old cross from the early 11th century was found nearby. Also, parts of a Norman wall have been discovered under the current church building. The church was first officially mentioned in records in 1154. It is special because it's the only church in England named after Saint Sampson of York.

Rebuilding and Changes: The Medieval Era

Over the years, the church was rebuilt many times. In the 15th century, different parts were updated:

• The south aisle (a side section) was rebuilt in the 1400s.
• The north aisle was built in the 1440s.
• The west tower was rebuilt in the 1480s.

In 1549, there was a plan to combine this church's area with another church, St Helen, Stonegate. Even though this didn't happen, St Sampson's did get two bells from St Helen's.

Aerial view of the church, from St Sampson's Square

Damage and Repair: The English Civil War

In 1644, during the English Civil War, the church's tower was damaged. Soldiers from the Parliamentarian side also destroyed many of the old monuments inside the church.

Victorian Updates: A New Look

Between 1845 and 1848, most of the church was rebuilt by an architect named Frederick Bell. He kept the Gothic style, which was popular in medieval times, but added a new room called a vestry. Because of this big renovation, the church looks more Victorian than medieval today.

The original tower survived the Victorian rebuild, but its height was changed. It was made shorter, then made taller again in 1910. Some parts of the church that are still from before the Victorian changes include:

• The east window of the north aisle.
• Some decorative carvings on the roof (called roof bosses).
• The frame that holds the bells, and the bells themselves.
• The north and south doors.
• A special basin called a piscina.
• Various old monuments.

From Church to Community Centre

In 1969, St Sampson's Church closed its doors as a place of worship. Many of its old fittings and decorations were removed. However, it was later restored by George Pace, a famous architect. In 1974, it reopened as a centre for older people.

During this restoration, George Pace made some clever changes:

• He added a mezzanine floor (a half-floor) over the north aisle to create space for offices.
• He put a kitchen in the south aisle.
• The sanctuary (the most sacred part of the church) was turned into a chapel, using a special screen (reredos) from another church.

Protecting History: Listed Building Status

Because of its historical importance, St Sampson's Church was given a "Grade II listed" status in June 1954. This means it's a special building that needs to be protected.