St Michael le Belfrey, York, Church building in central York, England
St Michael le Belfrey is a church building featuring Gothic architecture, standing at a central intersection directly opposite York Minster. It displays elaborate stone carvings and contains stained glass from the 14th century in its east window.
The building was constructed between 1525 and 1537, and is linked to a significant historical figure: Guy Fawkes was baptised here in 1570, before his later involvement in the Gunpowder Plot. This connection places the church within an important moment in English history.
The interior displays a Baroque reredos from 1702 and preserved wooden seating from the 17th century, reflecting the craftsmanship and religious practices valued across generations.
The building is open to visitors and remains actively used for services, so you can explore the architectural details when the church is not in use for worship. The central location makes it easy to reach, though you should check ahead for service times to avoid disruptions.
The building preserves two original staircases leading to the western gallery, with ornate handrails representing a rare surviving example of woodwork from this era. Few other churches retain such intact examples of these architectural details.
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