St Mary Bishophill Senior

About

St Mary Bishophill Senior was an Anglican parish church in the Bishophill area of York, in England. In about 350, a villa was built on the site, with an open courtyard. In the 10th century, a rectangular enclosure was formed on the site, probably representing a religious burial ground.

A church was constructed in the early 11th century, a small rectangular stone building, reusing some Roman and Northumbrian stones. In about 1180, a north aisle was added, and a south door was inserted. The enclosure was also enlarged, to both east and west.

In the early 13th century, a chancel was added, longer than the original structure, which became the church nave. In about 1300, the north aisle was extended one bay further east, and in about 1319 a north chapel was built. The north aisle of the chancel was rebuilt, perhaps in 1403, while in the late 15th century two south windows were inserted, and the east window and roof were replaced.

In the 17th century, brick was used to heighten the chancel, and in 1659 a north west tower was built, replacing a detached tower in the churchyard. The oldest surviving record of the church dates from 1202. Both the crown and successive noble families...