Holy Trinity, Goodramgate

Holy Trinity, Goodramgate, in York is now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. As I commented after visiting another of theirs - St Peter's in Northampton:

At least this stops anyone ripping out the pews and singing "Shine, Jesus, Shine", as Lord Bonkers suspects Tim Farron of wanting to do at St Asquith's

Why an atheist like me should be concerned about this is a subject for another day. Anyway, the Trust's page for Holy Trinity says:

Holy Trinity Goodramgate has the air of a hidden treasure. It stands in a small, secluded, leafy churchyard, with the Minster towering behind, tucked away behind Goodramgate - one of York’s busiest shopping streets. To visit, you pass through an 18th-century archway tacked on to buildings that served as artisans’ workshops in the 14th century. 

The church itself is full of character. The floors and arcades are charmingly uneven. Light filters through the windows, illuminating honey-coloured stone. The east window especially has marvellous stained glass that was donated in the early 1470s by the Reverend John Walker, rector of the church. On sunny days, transient gems of coloured light are scattered on the walls, and various Medieval faces stare out from the windows. 

The building dates chiefly from the 15th century, but has features from its foundation in the 12th century right up to the 19th century. The box pews, unique in York, are exceptionally fine, and an interesting collection of monuments and memorials paint a picture of life in this busy city throughout the ages. 

Two boards, with heads shaped like grandfather clocks, record the names of Lord Mayors of the city, including George Hudson, 'The Railway King’, who made York a major railway centre in the 19th century. 

Outdoor benches make the churchyard the perfect place for reflection, offering a welcome retreat from the hectic world outside.

Perhaps I was not in need of time for reflection in those days, but I never visited Holy Trinity while I was a student in York. But I do remember going into the little supermarket that was then housed in the concrete, egg-box parade on the other side of Goodramgate.

Indeed, I spent more time in a couple of days of holiday looking at the city architectural treasures than I did in three years as a student. I have a more egregious example of that to post shortly.

And for all the quaintness of Holy Trinity, the display about its history there tells us that close study of a photograph of the interior from the 19th century reveals that it had an early from of gas lighting.