Set on a raised knoll above the current road level, the present building was founded in 1154 on the site of an earlier Anglo-Saxon church, and is one of the oldest churches in the city. The site itself is much older; A Roman altar and Anglo-Danish ‘hogsback’ tomb were found here, suggesting a tradition of sanctity lasting more than 1,400 years.
The church is associated with the Anglo-Norman Percy dynasty – the most powerful family in northern England for much of the Middle Ages, responsible for building, amongst others, the castle at Sheriff Hutton. A townhouse owned by the Percys was located nearby, and they made endowments of stained glass to the church (see below.) It is also linked to York’s Fishmongers’ Guild, whose market was near Foss Bridge.
A fine Norman doorway leads into the 15th building, which has been denuded over time. Its spire was damaged by Civil War cannon fire and then struck by lightning; the transepts and nave were demolished in 1797.
The church houses some of York’s finest medieval stained glass, including a depiction of St Denys, patron saint of France and of Paris. He is shown holding his severed head, which according to legend he carried from his place of martyrdom to his place of burial.
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