St Clement’s Church, York

St Clement’s is an active Anglican church in the Archdiocese of York. A Grade II listed buildingStructure of particular architectural and/or historic interest deserving of special protection., it is situated just outside the city walls of York, England, south-west of the city centre.^[1][2]

There was a medieval church dedicated to Saint Clement, lying outside the York city walls, which gave its name to the suburb of Clementhorpe. In 1130 the Benedictine Nunnery of St Clement was founded, and the church was later recorded as forming part of the nunnery complex. The nunnery was dissolved in 1536, but the church remained in use until 1585, when its parish was merged into St Mary Bishophill Senior. The church fell into ruin, and in 1745 the remaining stone from the church was removed and used to repair the city walls.^[3][4]

St Clement’s was designed by J. B. & W. Atkinson, and constructed from 1872 to 1874. In 1876 it was given its own parish, and a vestryRoom in Christian churches for the storage of liturgical vestments, sacred vessels and parish records. was added in 1880. The church contains various fittings from the nearby St Mary Bishophill Senior, demolished 1963, including monuments and boards, two of which record the mayoralty of the architect John CarrProlific architect who worked mainly in the North of England, (1723–1807). of York, dated 1770 and 1785.^[4]

Architecture

The church is constructed of red brick, with stone dressings and plinth and dark brick bands. It has angled buttresses, and a steep slate roof covering both naveCentral part of a church, used by the laiety. and chancelPart of a church containing the altar, used by the officiating clergy., topped by a small bell-coteShelter containing one or more bells.. The nave has side aisles, and the east end is in the form of an apseSemicircular or polygonal termination of the chancel, which is typically situated at the eastern end of a Christian church.. The windows are lancetsTall, narrow window typically associated with the Gothic architectural style., those at the east and west ends having three lights, with two-light windows either side. The stained glass in the east window was designed by Jean-Baptiste Capronnier in 1875. Inside, the arcades are of brick, with stone piers and detailed stone capitals. There is a circular stone font, and an octagonal stone pulpit. The choir stalls and screenScreen separating the chancel from the nave, typically in late medieval Christion churches. are later, and were designed by Robert Thompson.^[4]