Church of St Martin le Grand

This beautiful church, with its distinctive Victorian clock suspended above bustling Coney Street, dates from the 12th century. Despite much of it being destroyed in a WW2 bombing raid and fire, and subsequently rebuilt, its outside architecture still looks very medieval with its elaborate crenellations and its many gargoyles. The peaceful interior is a mixture of old and new, with salvaged ancient monuments, a striking modern sculpture of the Last Supper behind the altar and, best of all, the enormous 15th century St Martin's Window, which survived the bombing because it had been taken out and stored in a safe place. There was a Christmas card sale taking place when I visited, with a few nice last-minute gifts and lots of cards supporting various charities. Bought three packs of Christmas cards and a couple of small books. The volunteer who served me was both helpful and friendly.

Was closed when we visited York. Seemed out of place in a place between a busy shopping street and the riverside walk with its pubs and restaurants. It was bombed during WWII on 29th April, 1942 and destroyed by fire, it has been restored since then. The clock on the east front was added in 1856 by Mr Cooke,[4] with a carved figure of the ‘Little Admiral’ dating from 1778.

A quiet little church that feels like a deep breath for the soul. Peaceful, still, and gently healing in its silence.

Called into this lovely little church which was bombed in WW2. The remaining part of the church has been beautifully renovated and was open for the sale of Christmas cards and free to enter. After extensive rebuilding, the church was rehallowed as a chapel of peace. Some strikingly modern elements have taken their place alongside the old. A suitably fiery east window depicting the burning of the church soars above a gold painted aluminium sculpture of the Last Supper, the figures angular and twisted. The old west window remains. Dating from about 1440 and the largest of any parish church in York, it was fortunately removed into store in 1940 for protection and reinstated in the new north wall in 1967 as part of the triumphant restoration.

Sad to see this church has been left to rot! It’s a beautiful building that needs rescuing.