York is often referred to as the capital city of the North of England. Until the industrial revolution York was second in size of population and importance to London. Largely bypassed by the industrial revolution York has retained the links with its medieval past more than most places in England.
River Ouse York
You will find yourself captivated by the magical city of York, with its unique atmosphere. One of the most historic cities in Britain, York has over 2000 years of history, which it unfolds for you in its streets, buildings and museums.
York is a city where sight seeing is easy, most of the attractions lie within the city walls, the area is compact, almost giving it the feeling of a large town, yet nowhere else can you find so much history, a variety of architecture and heritage sites, so easily accessible. It is interesting also to point out that this small city has a student population of 51000 and attracts 4 million tourists a year!
Historical Influences of York
Constantine statue in York
York has traditionally influenced outside its city walls, from being the centre of a major Celtic tribal kingdom to the Romans making it their military base for the north of Britain. Constantine the Great was proclaimed Emperor in York and first legalised Christianity from here. After this period the Celtic Christian monks used it as a significant monastic centre for the north, the Vikings then went on to make it the capital of their Kingdom before it became one of the Church of England’s Minster Cathedrals and the leadership centre for the UK which remains to this day.
Christian Influences that Shape York
During the middle ages a new monastic period emerged based out of York that went on to plant monasteries, churches and education centres throughout the north of England, many of their ruins remain from the centre of York throughout a hundred mile radius, the best preserved being Fountains Abbey near Ripon. Even in recent history York and the surrounding shires have produced world changers such as Hudson Taylor, Captain Cook, Guy Fawkes, Smith Wigglesworth and David Watson.
Looking at York’s history it is easy to see that God has been at work here and has used it as a major place of influence. In being led to York we felt the Lord calling us to follow ancient paths and so we believe that in the same way that York has had an exciting past it will also have an exciting future in terms of advancement of the Kingdom.
