St Andrewgate and Spen LanePhotographed in March 2004 |
David Lloyd, in the Esher Report, described St Andrewgate as it was in the 1960s: 'The most decrepit thoroughfare in central York, but not entirely a lost cause. The former St Andrew's Church, secularised after the Reformation and much patched, is still a pivotal feature. To the S the frontages are largely cleared, but there remains one distinctive 18th c. pedimented town house (built and occupied by the architect T Atkinson), now a warehouse. The middle and northern parts of the street still have some Georgian and early Victorian cottages capable of improvement, enhanced by the street's gentle wavering.' |
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These images show St Andrewgate now, in 2004. This street joins Aldwark and was part of the 1980s redevelopment. Many of the buildings David Lloyd mentions seem to have been retained and improved, with new buildings fitting around them. St Andrew's Church – just visible on the right of the photo – has a new roof, and an interesting history – see the quote and photos below. This is a lovely street, enhanced by the fact that, as the bollards show, it is closed to through traffic. |
St Andrew's hasn't always been used as a place of worship: 'By 1576 the parson of St. Saviour's was criticised for
keeping his 'swyne' in St. Andrew's churchyard, and later still the building
was used variously as a stable, a brothel and St. Peter's School, presumably
not simultaneously. By 1924 it was called 'The Gospel Hall' and used by
the 'open' Plymouth Brethren. The building has now reverted to its proper
function and is used by a vigorous evangelical congregation of about 100.' |
A chapel with such a varied history – so many sides, indeed – seemed to require a tour of all its sides, so here they are. St Andrew's, from many angles. I found an old image of the corner of the church shown above, taken in around 1910, when the area didn't look as smart. St Andrew's, from the Imagine York collection – (© City of York Council)
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Update: Thanks to Andy who emailed in April 2010 with updated information on St Andrew's Evangelical church. "We are as a church trying to get down in written form the history of this church. We have about 30 in membership. We have never been a Plymouth brethren church. The Gospel Hall was started in 1923 and two of our congregation have been in the Assembly for 60 years." |
'A decayed street in the Aldwark quarter, with one pleasant
restored house and a view of the Minster rearing grandly over the roof
of the old converted church building of St. Andrew's (desecrated after
the Reformation), the near-at-hand small building setting off the distant
great one in a memorable way, and the imminent squalor contrasting with
the distant magnificence. A pleasant little alley leads past the east
end of the church into St. Andrewgate.' It's certainly not "decayed" now, but like the rest of this area, redeveloped with new housing which has been planned carefully around the older buildings. |
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Above: Spen Lane from the end of St Saviourgate, looking towards the Minster. Left: Spen Lane from near St Andrew's Church, looking back to St Saviourgate. |
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Esher mentions the 'pleasant little alley' alongside the church. It's another of my favourite corners of York. Just look at the lovely brick and stone and the way it curves. |
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Related pages: Nearby are the streets of Aldwark, and Bedern and Bartle Garth. A former Drill Hall (now used by Barnitts hardware store) is also on St Andrewgate. See York Walks /3: Former Drill Hall, St Andrewgate |