The Parish Church of St Olave’s in the ancient city of York has the distinction of being the most ancient foundation in the British Isles dedicated in honour of Olaf King of Norway. There was a church on this site within three decades of his death at the battle of Stiklestad. From that church grew the Benedictine Community who built and occupied St Mary’s Abbey until the dissolution of the monasteries. During the English Civil War the government of the country was focussed for a short while on Kings Manor with in the parish. Long before all these things, somewhere within or near the parish boundaries Constantine was declared Emperor and the nature of the Christian Church was changed for ever.

Today, almost 1000 years since the first St Olave’s was built in 1055, we are a living breathing church gathering together not just on Sundays but each day of the week for prayer and worship. We are privileged to be able to worship not only in St Olave’s but also on weekdays in the ancient churches of St Helen’s and St Martin-le-grand. We hope that on these pages you will discover more about us and come and join us whenever you are in York.