Welcome to St Olave’s Church York
Part of the Church of England, in the Diocese of York
A liberal Anglo-Catholic tradition of liturgy
enriched by music, prayer, theological understanding and preaching
Marygate, York, YO30 7DR | Sundays at 8:30 & 10:30am | Fridays at 11:30am
About Us
St Olave’s Church York is known for its liberal Catholic tradition of liturgy enriched by music, prayer, theological understanding and preaching. Music is at the very heart of worship at St Olave’s, with the Sung Eucharist on a Sunday morning very much front and centre. A Sung Eucharist is also used to celebrate major weekday festivals, either on the day or on the nearest Sunday. A healing Eucharist is held once a quarter. We use Common Worship for the Eucharist, Baptism and other services and normally use the hymnbook Common Praise.
Our worship is formal, but with a lightness of touch, creating time for reflection and allowing a sense of God’s presence. Our Catholic tradition is normally reflected in the use of vestments and incense and a full team of servers. We aim to be a worshipping, learning and healing community that is non-judgmental, that offers gentleness, security and acceptance.
We have an eclectic, diverse congregation, drawn from within the parish and a wider area of York and surrounding villages.
Services and Private Prayer
Sunday Said Eucharist in Church at 8:30am
A quieter said service.
Sunday Sung Eucharist in Church and online at 10:30am
Join us in church at St Olave's at 10.30am or on our YouTube channel from 10.25am, where you can also catch up later.
You can find the music for August 2026 here.
Wednesday Compline online at 9.15pm
Gather on Zoom from 9pm here
Friday Eucharist in Church at 11:30am
Friday Eucharist is offered for people who would feel safer at a smaller and quieter service.
Private Prayer in Church
St Olave's is open during the day for visitors and those who wish to pray.
St Olave's Church News and Updates
Please subscribe for regular news, details of online services, prayers, updates and reflections from St Olave's Church using the form at the bottom of this page.
Contact Us
Rector: as we are currently in a vacancy please contact a member of our team:
Baptisms, weddings and funerals
Email our administrator
or email our
Interim Assistant Priest
The Revd Andrew Richardson
Tel: 07918 714329
Intercessions
email The Revd Kingsley Boulton
Tel: 01904 411535
Assistance from the PCC and Churchwardens
email churchwardens@stolaveschurch.org.uk
WHAT’S ON AT ST OLAVE’S
Concerts in Church
Norway’s Fanakoret Choir
& Prima Choral Artists
Sunday 6th September at 4.00pm
Experience beautiful harmonies and powerful performances
that will lift your spirits.
Free Entry
York Chamber Music Festival
Sunday 13th September at 3.00pm
BEETHOVEN: String Quintet in C major Op. 29
BRAHMS: String Quintet in F major Op. 88
Tickets available from www.ycmf.co.uk
£20 (18 and under free)and discover the full festival programme
Academy of St Olave’s Autumn Concert
Saturday 19th September 2026 at 7.30pm
BEETHOVEN: Wind Octet in E flat major, Op.103
MOZART: Sinfonia Concertante in E flat, K.364
soloists Jacob George violin, Alan George viola
HAYDYN: Symphony No.104 in D, ‘London’
Tickets available from www.academyofstolaves.org.uk
Giving
Generous Living
Our Giving page shows many different ways you can donate to St Olave’s Church. If possible, please gift aid your donations to add 25p to every £1 you give, and email a completed Gift Aid form to our church treasurer at treasurer@stolaveschurch.org.uk.
GIVING TO ST OLAVE’S CHURCH
Planned Giving is the most effective way to give to the life and work of our church, especially through ways which reduce administration for our parish, as it helps us to fund our mission, budget and use resources wisely. We are very grateful for all gifts that are given – thank you.
STANDING ORDER
A standing order is arranged through your bank and you retain control over it. Please let our treasurer know by email that you are doing this, and gift aid if possible. The Standing Order Form is for giving to your bank. The church bank account details are:
PCC of St Olaves York
Sort Code 40-52-40
Account number 00007806
ONE-OFF GIFTS
While regular gifts are the most helpful form of income, we are also very grateful for one-off gifts and legacies. It is possible to give in cash on the collection plate, by card at the machine at the back of church (touch the screen to amend the amount) or by going to our Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/stolaveschurch
Working Together
York City Centre Churches
St Olave with St Giles is one of four city centre parishes in the beautiful and vibrant medieval city of York. Our vision is to work together to serve all the people of our parishes whether residents, visitors or students and to be part of the life of the city and beyond.
The York City Centre Churches have a joint website, where you can read about the parishes and find contact details for the clergy, readers, churchwardens and safeguarding representatives. Head to the York City Centre Churches website using the button below.
All Saints | St Denys | St Helen | St Martin | St Olave
Find out more about St Olave's Church
Watch, Read & Pray
Here you can find our central resource of articles, updates, prayer cycles, services and sermons from St Olave’s Church, the York City Centre Churches and the wider church.
Our Vibrant Community
Our church community spans the age spectrum from younger families to the very elderly. We aim to be a warm, welcoming, loving and inclusive with an ethos for charitable giving.
Music at St Olave's
Music is an important part of church life at St Olave’s and our choir is one of the region’s most accomplished. Listen to our choir & organ and find out more about our superb music!
Visit our Ancient Church
Visit York’s Church of St Olave, founded by Earl Siward before 1055. Take a guided tour of the interior & discover the history of the building, its monuments, memorials and stained glass.
Our Beautiful Churchyard
St Olave’s Church has a beautiful, secluded and ecologically important churchyard, surrounded by medieval walls, overlooked by magnificent abbey ruins and with a fascinating history.
Hire the Church Hall
Refurbished in 1998 and conveniently situated next to York’s Marygate Car Park, St Olave’s Church Hall boasts a well equipped kitchen and is ideal for a host of activities.
Book the Church
The go-to venue for many concerts, rehearsals, presentations and other occasions, St Olave’s is accessible for wheelchair users, has an accessible toilet & facilities for refreshments.
Ring our Historic Bells
Cast by Robert Dalton in 1789, these bells were the last full peal cast by a York bellfounder. They were restored in 1988 and an additional chiming mechanism was fitted in 2018.