St Wilfrid's, York

St Wilfrid's Church, York
St Wilfrid's Church, York (photograph by Rept0n1x) St Wilfrid's Church, York (photograph by Rept0n1x)
Location	York
Country	England
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Dedication	St Wilfrid
Architecture
Heritage designation	Grade II listed
Architect(s)	George Goldie
Completed	1864
Construction cost	£10,000
Specifications
Height	147 feet (45 m)
Administration
Parish	St Wilfrid, York
Diocese	Diocese of Middlesbrough
Province	Archdiocese of Liverpool

St. Wilfrid's is a Roman Catholic church located in the centre of York, England, in the shadows of York Minster. A Church dedicated to St. Wilfrid has stood in York since medieval times. Catholics call it the "Mother Church of the city of York." It is in Gothic Revival style. The Arch over the main door has the most detailed Victorian carving in the city. The present Church was completed in 1864 and it was considered to be one of the most perfectly finished Catholic Churches in England, rich in sculptures, paintings and stained glass. In 2013, the church was entrusted to the Oratorian Fathers. with Fr. Richard Duffield as priest.

It is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough and was the second pro-Cathedral of the Diocese of Beverley until its dissolution in 1878.

History

In 1585 the parish could not support itself (possibly due to the large number of churches in York). The Church became redundant and was demolished. It was eventually built over and the parish united with St Michael le Belfry St. Wilfrid's parish was revived by York Catholics in 1742 when they established their Mission in Little Blake Street. The Mission was founded by the Vicar Apostolic of the Northern District of England, Edward Dicconson.

A Catholic priest's house was established at number 7 Little Blake Street (now Duncombe Place) known as Chapel House. In 1760 the first public place of worship for Catholics opened in York. The chapel continued until 1802 when another chapel was built on the opposite side of the street (on the present site). At this time there were still strong anti-catholic feelings, so the chapel was hidden from the street by its presbytery. The chapel could hold 700 people and the Catholic population continued to increase in York.

Present church

A Church dedicated to St. Wilfrid has stood in York since medieval times. The original site of the Church was on land now occupied by the Judges Lodgings in Lendal and part of the Assembly Rooms behind in Blake Street.

The present Church was completed in 1864 for the sum of £10,000. It was opened by Cardinal Wiseman in June 1864. It became a grade II listed building in 1968.

In 1848 plans were drawn up to build a new Church. The funds, however, were diverted to build a much needed Church in the Walmgate area for the large number of Irish Catholics who settled there during the potato famine. St. George's Church was built and it became the Pro-Cathedral of the Catholic diocese of Beverley.

In 1859 York Corporation were planning a new approach road to Lendal Bridge. This prompted Dean Duncombe to apply to the corporation to continue the route by the chapel and towards the Minster. The old narrow lane (Lop Lane or Little Blake Street) was replaced with a wide thoroughfare. The houses on the opposite side to the chapel were demolished and the road widened to create Duncombe Place, named after the Dean.

St. Wilfrid's Church, as it stands today, was to be built on the site of the old chapel. The foundation stone was laid in April 1862 by Bishop Cornthwaite. The architect of the building was George Goldie, son of a prominent parishioner Dr. Goldie. George Goldie was baptised in St. Wilfrid's chapel. He also designed St Wilfrid's Primary School nearby, but died in 1887 before the school was built.

The Church was designed in a Gothic Revival manner, a copy of 13th–14th century style. The arch over the main door has the most detailed Victorian carving in the city.

The Church was completed in 1864, costing around £10,000, and was opened by Cardinal Wiseman in June of that year. It was considered to be one of the most perfectly finished Catholic Churches in England, rich in sculpture and paintings and stained glass. It became the Pro-Cathedral Church of the Beverley Diocese. This was short lived as Beverley diocese was split to make the Dioceses of Leeds (south of the River Ouse) and of Middlesbrough (north of the river). Nevertheless, St. Wilfrid's still stands as the "Mother Church of the city of York".

Part of the porch way believed to belong to the original St. Wilfrid's Church was found under the floor of the Assembly Rooms during the 19th Century renovations.

In 1945 Middlesbrough Diocese bought a 16th Century house in the Shambles. Number 35 is now the shrine of St. Margaret Clitherow. It is a pilgrimage site for Catholics from all over the world. Mass is celebrated here regularly every Saturday at 10.00am and it is open to visitors during the week.

Furnishings

File:St Wilfrids York interior.JPG

Interior of St Wilfrid's.

The altar rails at St Wilfrid's were very fine and were of particular note. They were made in 1948 by Wilfrid Dowson, from Kirkbymoorside, who was responsible for some work at York Minster, as well as the Queen's Gates at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The rails were removed in February 2007.

Tower

The tower is some 147 ft high and is visible around much of York. The design of the tower makes it appear as though St Wilfrid's is taller than the Minster in the background; it is only when a person has passed Wilfrid's that they can see the Minster is taller. Ten bells were added to the tower in 1995.

External links

• Official Site
• St Wilfrid's RC School, York