All that remains of this church, demolished in the 1960s, is a community garden, which is situated alongside a snickelway called Carr’s Lane. Excavations revealed that the church stood on Roman remains, possibly the base of a wall or an early Romano-British church. An important and ancient place of sanctity, some have speculated that it was the site of Anglo-Saxon York’s first Minster.
St Mary Bishophill Senior Folklore:
Perhaps because of its early foundation, or its location overlooking the River Ouse, an intense calmness has been reported by some people, when standing within the boundary of the old church.
Black and white photos from British History Online.
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3 comments
Linda Smith
My great great great grandparents, William Sisson of Church Fenton and Joanna Tindall of Kirby Wharfe were married here in 1805. A pity it has been demolished. Linda Smith
Charlotte Milne
The lane (snickelway) next to the Church Yard was called Kirk Lane (unfortunately, these days it has been changed to Carr Lane). I would have liked to see this Church! Charlotte Milne
Tim Allsopp
While researching the origins of the name of ‘Rougier Street’ just inside the city wall on the south west side of the city I noticed the family have a memorial stone in the St Mary’s Bishophill senior graveyard:
Named after the Rougiers a French Huguenot family came to York via Worcestershire c.1790, working in all things horn, combs etc, in the area of Tanner Row. In business up to c.1930. Bishophill senior churchyard contains a tomb for the Rougier family.