The Good Church Guide

Whether you’re just arrived in York and are searching for a church to suit you, or you’re looking to try somewhere new, the Christis Good Church Guide is here to help. Whatever style you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it — we’ve reviewed everything from York Minster to the alternative worship of Visions. If you want more information about any of the churches here, or if you need directions, the contacts listed will be happy to help.

St George’s RCC

St. George’s is one of the closest Catholic Churches to campus, situated just within the city walls. Sunday morning Masses are very lively and children-orientated, with a lot of singing! Hymns are both old and new, but leaning more towards the new. The congregation is large and a real mix of people; children, students, and adults. They are very welcoming, and students are always encouraged to get involved. Sunday Masses are at 10.30am and 6.30pm.

Website: www.stgeorgeschurchyork.org.uk
Contact: Claire Michalkiewicz, cm538[at]york.ac.uk

York Baptist Church

Services start at at 10:45am and 6:30pm. Meet to walk down at Vanbrugh Porters’ Lodge at 10am and 5:45pm. York Baptist is a well-established church in the city centre, with a strong and continuing history of solid Biblical teaching coupled with warm fellowship. The church’s vision is to see all in the fellowship hear and obey the word of God, bring everything to God in prayer and show that the Gospel is relevant to life in the 21st century. The church is also a committed supporter of UCCF and the Christian Unions in York, and is always seeking to involve students in its church life, which is a great encouragement to students and the church alike. Student lunches, evenings in church families’ homes, praying together and days out are some of the ways that students can get to know each other and God’s word in York Baptist. If you’re church hunting at the beginning of your university

Website: www.yorkbaptist.org
Contact: Samah Massalah, esm500[at]york.ac.uk

Quaker Meetings

Quaker Meetings for Worship are rather different from most church services, with no set form, recited words, hymns or leaders. It is mostly conducted in silence, during which anybody who feels moved to speak by God, (however they understand the term) can. Quakers have no fixed creeds, rather expressing faith through action — living out our testimonies to simplicity, equality, truth, justice and peace. Meeting is a good place to make contacts if you are interested in social action, particularly working with the most marginalised in causes others pass by. We don’t eat only porridge, or wear big black hats! Meetings are held in the Quiet Place on weekdays in term-time — find us at Freshers Fair for details. All are welcome to join with us in quiet waiting on God, whatever your usual church or beliefs. York’s largest Sunday Meeting is Friargate, opposite the Gallery nightclub — email Ceri to walk in from campus.

Website: www.yorkquakers.org.uk
Contact: Ceri Owen, crjo100[at]york.ac.uk

Heslington Church

Heslington church, or Hes, as it is known, is about the most convenient church for those living on campus, being situated between Derwent and Chemistry. It’s a very friendly church, with a good mix of students and local people. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved, including a student worship band (If you’re a drummer, we particularly love you). Hes Church is both Anglican and Methodist, and the two are combined with success. Services are at 8am, 10am and 6.30pm, and after the main 10am one, you can usually find a crowd ofus in a local pub, such as the Charles VII. We look forward to seeing you!

Website: www.yorkec.org.uk
Contact: Bunny Cain, emc501[at]york.ac.uk

St Oswald’s, Fulford

St Oswalds (Fulford) is the warmest, most welcoming church I’ve found in York! It’s a thriving C of E church, with lots of families (plenty of opportunity for youth work!) and is always keen to encourage students to join in with church life (music group, house groups, children’s activity days… ). It’s in easy walking distance from campus — drop me an e-mail and I’ll make sure you find it. David Goodhew, the vicar, is very keen to get more students involved, and also has contact with the CU. There are four services every Sunday: 8:00am Holy Communion, 9:15am Traditional Choral service, 11:00am Contemporary service, and 6:30pm Evensong / Sung Eucharist.

Website: www.st-oswalds-fulford.org.uk
Contact: Chris Bryan, chrismbryan[at]gmail.com

St Michael le Belfrey

St Mike’s is a large charismatic Anglican church next to the Minster. There are three main Sunday services, 9:00am (traditional), 11:00am (lively family worship) and most students go to the evening service at 7:00pm (then to coffee, then to the pub!). At 5pm before the evening service is the Hub, an opportunity for students to meet and be fed. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in youth work, outreach, and all aspects of church life. When you join, you can join a cell group, which consists of a few people who meet during the week, and who become your main friends in St Mike’s. Although the church is big, they make an effort to be friendly and inclusive and some of the best friends I’ve made have been with people I’ve met at church. What more could you want? There should be a party walking from Vanbrugh stalls on the first few Sundays of term.

Website: www.stmichaelsyork.org
Contact: Jennifer Paley, jp530[at]york.ac.uk

Campus Mass

Campus Mass is a very friendly and relaxed Catholic Mass, ideally suited for those living on campus. It’s celebrated by Fr Elias O’Brien, the university Catholic Chaplain. Whilst the majority of the congregation is made up of students, some members of the staff and of the public do come along too. There is plenty to get involved with; whether setting up the room beforehand (and tidying it up afterwards), playing in the band or reading, and international students are given the opportunity to read the Gospel in their own language. Hymns (old and new) are led by a small band usually comprising keyboard, clarinets, flutes, trombone, guitar, the odd triangle (!) … basically whatever’s availiable! There’s a great sense of community which is strengthened by cooked brunch at More House afterwards, to which everyone is invited. Mass is at 11am in Derwent (Room: TBC).

Contact: Chris Harrison, ch531[at]york.ac.uk

Elim Pentecostal

Elim is a very friendly international church with a great family feel about it. The atmosphere of the services is informal, with lively worship and good bible teaching. Each week there’s lots of time to have a coffee and chat, so you can quickly make friends with a diverse lot of people. Students are really encouraged to get involved with church life, and there are plenty of oppurtunities to do so. Elim is a great place to feel welcome, learn more about God and grow in your faith. The church meets at 10.30am each Sunday in St Laurence’s Primary School on Heslington Rd. Have a look at our website now to find out more!

Website: www.york-epc.org.uk
Contact: Maria Leach, mfl500[at]york.ac.uk

York Community Church

‘YCC’ meets in two places, Tang Hall community centre and Osbaldwick primary school. It’s a very friendly church with a warm welcome guaranteed. After the morning service, a student lunch is provided at one of the congregation’s houses, which is a bonus. The services involve a talk that can be practically used in the real world, open, unpressurised prayer, communion, and singing (sometimes jukebox style). If you’ve got questions about anything, feel free to email me.

Website: www.yorkcommunitychurch.org.uk
Contact: David Butler, dpb500[at]york.ac.uk

City Church

This is York’s New Frontiers Church, which meets at 10:30am every Sunday at St John’s university campus (the other uni). Its about 30 minutes walk, but a group normally assemble on campus to walk in together. The meetings have a relaxed feel, with lively worship and sound, bible based teaching. Drinks are served after the meeting where you can chat and get to know the church. The students (from both unis) and former students go for lunch together afterwards which is always a good laugh. There are also cell/house groups on various days of the week to get involved in for more teaching and great fellowship.

Website: www.yorkcitychurch.org.uk
Contact: Owen Wright, omw501@york.ac.uk

St Wilfrid’s RCC

St. Wilfred’s is the main Catholic Church for the city, right next to the Minster in the centre of town. The church is always open during the day for private devotions; with Gregorian Chant in the background, and such an awe-inspiring building , it really is a great place to pray! Sunday morning Masses here are not so focused on children as St George’s. Nevertheless, there are perhaps more opportunities for students to get involved; whether through serving, or leading the congregation through the choir. Canon Michael Ryan, the parish priest, is very friendly and approachable. Everyone is very friendly, and familiar faces are often spotted amongst the large congregation. Sunday Masses are at 6.15 (Saturday Vigil), 8.30am, and 11am, as well as 8am on Monday, 12.10pm on Tuesday — Friday.

Website: www.stwilfridsyork.org.uk
Contact: Bianca Brajuha, bb512[at]york.ac.uk

The Minster

York Minster dominates the city, and is probably the busiest place of worship, with three services every day (at 8:00am, 10:00am and 4:00pm on Sundays). Services follow a High Anglican setting with a full choir, but don’t panic — it’s okay to sit back and marvel at the spectacle and architecture! The Minster is the seat of Archbishop John Sentamu who is definitely worth listening to: not your average C of E preacher! Watch out for the Chaplaincy services; on top of the tower on Ascension Day, and in the crypt on All Souls Day. Also, if you’re feeling touristy, show your uni card and you get in free!

Website: www.yorkminster.org