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
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
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)
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.
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
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 muslim-community
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
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.
There is a student Quaker Society at the University.
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.