St Michael's Church, Spurriergate, York

Coordinates: 53°57′28.1″N 1°4′57.4″W / 53.957806°N 1.082611°W / 53.957806; -1.082611
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St Michael’s Church, Spurriergate, York
St Michael’s Church, Spurriergate York
Map
53°57′28.1″N 1°4′57.4″W / 53.957806°N 1.082611°W / 53.957806; -1.082611
LocationYork
CountryEngland
Previous denominationChurch of England
History
DedicationSt Michael
Architecture
Heritage designationGrade I listed[1]
Designated14 June 1954
StyleDecorated Gothic
GroundbreakingLate 12th century
CompletedMid 15th century
Closed1984
Specifications
Number of towers1

St Michael's Church is a Grade I listed[1] former parish church in the Church of England, on Spurriergate in York.[2]

History[edit]

The church dates from the 12th century with elements from the 14th and 15th centuries.

It was reduced in size in 1821 by JB and W Atkinson. The foundation stone of the new wall of the east end was laid by the Rector on 15 January 1821.[3] Work was completed on 16 June 1822.[4]

The tower was lowered between 1966 and 1967. The church was declared redundant and closed in 1984. The building re-opened as a restaurant and cafe in 1989. The conversion retained a small chapel upstairs which is used occasionally for worship.

Clock[edit]

The exterior west end of the south wall contains a painted clock face. The clock mechanism inside is inscribed with "Reconstructed by G. J. F. Newey in 1896".[1] The clock was originally inset to the tower, but after its lowering in 1966, it was moved to its current location.

Organ[edit]

The church contained an organ by Denman and Son which was installed in 1890.[5] It had 9 stops on the Swell, 7 on the Great, 2 on the Pedal and cost just over £300 (equivalent to £41,704 in 2023).[6] It was transferred in 1972 to All Saints’ Church, Castleford. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.[7] The church also contained a 3 stop continuo organ by Grant Degens and Bradbeer, dating from 1969, which was moved to Lund Parish Church in 1973 and subsequently Southwell Minster. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Historic England. "Church of St Michael (Grade I) (1256593)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  2. ^ The Buildings of England. York and the East Riding. Nikolaus Pevsner and David Neave. Yale University Press. 1995. ISBN 0300095937
  3. ^ "The Foundation Stone of the New Wall". Yorkshire Gazette. York. 20 January 1821. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  4. ^ "Spurriergate Church". Yorkshire Gazette. York. 22 June 1821. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  5. ^ "New organ for St Michael Spurriergate Church". York Herald. York. 23 August 1890. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  6. ^ UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Clark, Gregory (2017). "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  7. ^ "NPOR [N03924]". National Pipe Organ Register. British Institute of Organ Studies. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  8. ^ "NPOR [E01315]". National Pipe Organ Register. British Institute of Organ Studies. Retrieved 10 May 2015.