Faith communities

Whilst the University of York is a secular institution and does not have a faith-based foundation, some students and staff joining our community may wish to establish a link with a faith community here in the city.

We have provided a list of faith communities to signpost our students and staff to faith and spiritual support in the local area. Please note these are independent faith communities and are not employed by the University.

We encourage all of the faith communities listed to maintain respect and compassion for all religious affiliations, and for those with none.

You can also get in touch with the University Chaplains for faith and spiritual support. Our chaplains actively work to support the sense of community on campus and can be contacted by students of all faiths, as well as those of none.

We aim to foster an academic community which balances freedom of worship, freedom of speech and our duties under the Equality Act 2010. For information on religious groups that may be of concern visit www.inform.ac. If you have compliments, concerns or complaints about any of the Faith Contacts or Groups please contact academic.registrar@york.ac.uk or the Equality and Diversity team.

Local Spiritual Assembly

The York Bahái' group does not have a dedicated place of worship but members take turns to host gatherings in each other’s homes.

Contact the Local Spiritual Assembly through the Bahá'ís of York website or Bahá'ís of York Facebook group.

York Buddhist Network lists a variety of local groups meeting. Contact yorkbuddhistnetwork@gmail.com for more details.

There are several student Christian faith societies at the University. See the Students' Union's list of societies for details.

York has a rich tradition of churches offering many varieties of Christian worship. You can find out more about churches near campus and in the centre of York below.

Anglican

Heslington Church

Heslington Church is very close to Campus West: several Chaplaincy services and activities take place here. This church is a local ecumenical partnership between the Anglican and Methodist Churches. Worship alternates each week. The Church is open throughout the week for prayer, quiet, and reflection.

St Lawrence's Church

St Lawrence's Parish Church is a traditional Anglican parish church.

York Minster

York Minster offers traditional Anglican worship in magnificent surroundings. Services include a Choral Evensong.

St Luke's Parish Church

St Luke's is an inclusive church community with lively musical worship. The church offers a monthly service for LGBTQ+ Christians called 'Outside In'.

St Michael Le Belfrey

Next to York Minster, St Michael Le Belfrey hosts a charismatic evangelical congregation.

York City Centre Churches

York City Centre Churches is a collection of five churches in the city centre that all offer services throughout the week. All Saints Pavement offers Choral Evening Prayer on Sundays.

Roman Catholic

More House Chapel

More House, the University Catholic Chaplaincy is very close to Campus West. There is a daily Mass and the chapel is open for prayer.

St Aelred's

St Aelred's is a Catholic church in the Tang Hall area of York.

St Wilfrid's Church (York Oratory)

St Wilfrid's is a traditional Catholic church adjacent to York Minster with daily mass.

LGBT+ Catholics York

Part of the Middlesbrough Diocese LGBT+ Ministry, LGBT+ Catholics York offers a monthly service for LGBTQ+ Catholics held at the Bar Convent.

Other Christian denominations

York Community Church

York Community Church (YCC) is an evangelical church.

York Baptist Church

York Baptist Church is an evangelical church.

Heslington Church (Methodist)

York Central Methodist Church

Central Methodist Church is in the city centre.

York Orthodox Church

St Constantine's York Orthodox Church is an Antiochian Orthodox congregation and holds an English-speaking service every Sunday morning at 10am in York St John Chapel.

St Columba’s United Reformed Church

St Columba's is an inclusive and accessible United Reform church.

Global Church

Global Church operates from two venues in York.

There is a student Hindu society at the University.

For details of prayer groups for York-based Hindus, which take place at York St John University, please email their Chaplaincy team: chaplaincy@yorksj.ac.uk.

You can also find details of places of worship in Leeds and Hull on the York St John website.

There is a student Islamic Society at the University.

If you're looking for somewhere to pray on campus, you'll find the Muslim Prayer Room in the Seebohm Rowntree Building in Alcuin College.

Please get in touch with muslimcommunity@york.ac.uk if you would like a personal point of contact.

York Mosque and Islamic Centre

The York Mosque and Islamic Centre holds events and provides useful information, for example about prayers, the commencement of Ramadan, and the times for Eid prayer.

Imaan

Imaan is a national organisation offering advice and support to LGBTQ+ Muslims.

There is a student Jewish Society (JSOC) at the University. There is also a dedicated facility for Jewish members of the University which is managed by the Jewish Society. Please email jewish@yusu.org for further details.

York Liberal Jewish Community

York Liberal Jewish Community offer services that are LGBTQ+ Inclusive.

University Jewish Chaplaincy

The independent national charity University Jewish Chaplaincy recruits regional rabbis to support students.

Friargate Quaker Meeting

Friargate Quaker Meeting are an inclusive community with an accessible venue in the centre of York.

There is a student Sikhism Society at the University.

Please get in touch with Sikhcommunity@york.ac.uk if you would like a personal point of contact.

There are currently no Sikh temples in York, so local Sikhs wishing to worship at a temple normally go to Leeds - we've listed the main temples below.

Sikh places of worship

There are weekly services at the Unitarian Chapel, St Saviourgate, York.

York Interfaith works with several faith communities across the city.