York Minster seeking new generation of choristers
York Minster is searching for four boys and four girls, currently in Year 3, to join its world-famous choir. Successful applicants will receive a world-class musical education under the tutelage of the cathedral’s professional musicians, as well as a subsidised place at St Peter’s School, York, one of the oldest schools in the world.
York Minster provides a substantial scholarship for each chorister towards school fees, with opportunities to apply for additional means-tested bursaries which can increase the level of funding to 100%.
Choral music is one of the crowning glories of York Minster. The choir is widely regarded as one of the finest cathedral choirs in the country and can trace its heritage back to 627AD. More recently, the choir has performed for King Charles III, featured on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM, and recorded a new album. Alongside high-profile performances, choristers also tour internationally, make new friends, and sing alongside renowned musicians in the awe-inspiring setting of York Minster.
Robert Sharpe, the cathedral’s Director of Music, leads the audition process which aims to identify children with musical potential. He explained: “This is a unique opportunity for children to harness their musical talents and to play a part in the life of one of the most important and beautiful cathedrals in the world. As a former chorister parent myself, I know that children do not arrive at the auditions as fully formed musicians. I am looking for children who can hold a tune, pitch notes, and express an interest in developing their musical abilities.
“I am aware of the financial pressures that many families are facing, which may make a choristership seem out of reach. I would encourage parents to have a conversation with the school’s Admissions Team about applying for means-tested bursaries. You may be surprised by how many families qualify for additional fee assistance.
“If your child loves to sing, please do apply for this life-changing opportunity.”
Joy, one of York Minster’s current choristers, shared her experience: “Being a York Minster Chorister has been such a special experience for me. I wanted to join because I’ve always loved singing and after watching my sister’s rehearsals online during Covid, I knew I wanted to be part of it too. I love getting to sing in front of people in the beautiful Minster, and I’ve made so many friends here who feel like my second family. When I’m no longer a chorister, I definitely want to keep singing as a hobby because it’s something I’ll always enjoy.”
Edwin, a fellow chorister, added: “Music has always been a big part of my family: my dad still sings in a choir at York Minster and my brother Arthur was a York Minster Chorister before me, so it was something I knew I would enjoy. I love being able to sing amazing music with my friends, I think I’ll always be musical.”
About the 2025 Chorister Auditions
York Minster’s Chorister Auditions will be held in January 2026 at St Peter’s School, Clifton, York, YO30 6AB. The deadline for applications is 31 December 2025.
For more details, please contact admissions@stpetersyork.org.uk.
Archbishop of York raises the wreath at York Minster
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, will help to suspend a spectacular three-metre-wide Advent Wreath beneath York Minster’s Central Tower as the cathedral prepares for Christmas.
The wreath, thought to be one of the largest in the country, is created by the Minster’s expert volunteer Flower Arrangers. It takes the team almost three hours to assemble the beautiful display using locally sourced cuttings from winter plants like holly and ivy.
Archbishop Stephen will help to hoist the wreath into position beneath the Central Tower, where it will remain almost 30 feet above ground throughout Advent. Huge one-metre-tall candles will be lit each Sunday, before the final central candle is lit at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in celebration of Christ’s birth.
Archbishop Stephen said: “As the Advent Wreath is raised into position at York Minster, we are reminded of the beauty and hope of this season and the joy of Christ’s birth and his promised return.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the talented team of Flower Arrangers, whose skill and devotion each year create this remarkable centrepiece in this beautiful cathedral.
“Their dedication serves as a reminder of all those who generously offer their time and skills throughout the Advent and Christmas season to help welcome as many people as possible to experience our churches and our worship at this special time.”
Visitors are warmly invited to experience the Advent season at York Minster and witness the wreath in place throughout December.
York Minster opens its digital doors to the world
York Minster, one of the world’s most significant cultural and religious sites, has today launched its presence on the Bloomberg Connects app, joining over 1,100 arts and culture organisations across the world.
The app, which has over 5.7 million users, includes a downloadable guide to the Minster available in over 50 languages, encouraging international visitors to explore some of the building’s incredible highlights including the medieval Chapter House and the Great East Window, the single largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the country.
The Minster welcomes over half a million visitors every year. It was recently voted by Tripadvisor’s users as the “Best of the Best”, putting it in the top 1% of visitor attractions worldwide. As the second most senior Anglican church in the country, it hosts significant religious and cultural events including His Majesty King Charles III’s first Royal Maundy as monarch. This year it is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the rededication of its iconic Five Sisters Window as the first, and still the only, national memorial to women who died during World War One.
The Bloomberg Connects app is designed to complement the team of volunteer Minster Guides who offer tours of the building, and whose expert knowledge can help visitors to dig deeper into the 1,398 years of history encapsulated in York Minster. Lisa Power, Head of Events and Participation at the Minster, explains more:
“We are delighted to be able to provide a new way for our visitors to interact with this incredible place. We think this will be particularly useful for people with English as a second language, but you don’t have to visit to download the app – give it a try at home and come armed ready to ask our experts questions about your favourite places, spaces and stories from the Minster.”
Traditional services, festive workshops, candlelit carols
Preparations are underway at York Minster as the cathedral prepares to mark Advent and Christmas with a programme of new activities and events for 2025, alongside returning seasonal favourites, family-friendly activities and a festival of 70 Christmas Trees.
Away from the hustle and bustle of York’s festive streets, visitors to the city will be able to find moments of peace and calm reflection, as well as enjoying some of the cathedral’s most popular events of the year. York Minster is extending a warm invitation to all those looking to celebrate the season’s themes of anticipation, hope and joy.
Candlelit carols
The season begins on Advent Sunday (30 November), with the breathtaking Advent Procession. Starting in complete darkness, the cathedral is illuminated candle by candle, as the procession moves through the building.
Old and new concerts and services will also see the cathedral decorated with candles. The elegant Ebor Quartet will perform Fairytale at York Minster: Christmas Hits by Candlelight for the first time; The Chapter House Choir will perform their annual concert Carols by Candlelight as it celebrates its 60th anniversary; and the spectacular Sankta Lucia: Festival of Light will return, complete with one brave singer wearing the traditional crown of lit candles.
The return of the Christmas Tree Festival
The ever-popular York Minster Christmas Tree Festival returns for its fifth year from Saturday 29 November (until Monday 5 January). 70 trees decorated by local schools, charities, and businesses will illuminate the cathedral’s Chapter House, Nave and Lady Chapel.
Family favourites
Families are invited to help switch on the lights of the Christmas Tree Festival at a special service to mark the beginning of Advent. Families can also enjoy a performance of The Nutcracker performed on the Minster’s Grand Organ and attend the Crib Service which sees local children dress up as characters from the Nativity.
Festive workshops
The Minster is offering brand-new festive workshops in 2025. On selected Saturdays in November and December, expert local craftspeople will run hands-on gilding and wreath making workshops so visitors can make Christmas decorations for their own home.
Traditional services
Christmas worship will include two services of Nine Lessons and Carols (23 and 24 December) and Midnight Mass (24 December). The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, will preach at the Sung Eucharist for Christmas Day at 11am (25 December).
Daily worship throughout Advent and Christmas will include prayers, music and readings as the season progresses.
The Very Reverend Dominic Barrington, Dean of York, said: “Advent is a vivid preparation for Christmas. Here at York Minster and across the globe, Christians await the coming of Christ: candles are lit, great anthems are sung, and prayers are offered as we prepare once again to celebrate God’s coming into the world as a vulnerable baby.
“There is considerable darkness in our world today and many people live with uncertainty and fear. As we journey through Advent, lighting another candle on our Advent Wreath each Sunday, we are reminded that the light of Christ is inextinguishable and the darkness cannot, and will not, overcome it.
“It is my hope that everyone who visits York Minster during this powerful season can experience that transformative, enduring and unending light.”
York Minster’s Advent and Christmas programme is set out below. For booking information visit www.yorkminster.org or call the Bookings Team on 01904 557200.
York Minster’s Advent and Christmas Programme 2025:
Festive Workshops
Saturdays 22 November – 13 December
On selected Saturdays in November and December, join festive workshops and get hands-on creating Christmas decorations with the help of expert local craftspeople. Choose from gilding or wreath making, the perfect festive treat.
Tickets priced between £40 and £60 available via yorkminster.org
Johann Sebastian Bach’s Cantata 140, Sleepers, wake
Sunday 23 November, 4pm
On the Sunday next before Advent, the Choir of York Minster gives its traditional annual Evensong performance of Bach’s popular Cantata 140, ‘Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme’ (Sleepers, wake), with orchestral accompaniment.
Free, no tickets required.
The York Minster Christmas Tree Festival
Saturday 29 November – Monday 5 January 2025, during general admission times
York Minster’s Christmas Tree Festival returns for the fifth year with 70 trees on display in the cathedral’s Nave, Chapter House and Lady Chapel.
Included with general admission.
Minster Mash-Up: Lights switch-on
Saturday 29 November, 10am
Join York Minster’s worship for young people and families – Minster Mash-Up – and get ready for Advent. Families are invited to join the lights switch-on for the York Minster Christmas Tree Festival as we prepare to mark the beginning of Advent and await the arrival of baby Jesus.
Free, no tickets required.
Advent Procession
Sunday 30 November, 5.30pm
On Advent Sunday, York Minster emerges from darkness into light in the atmospheric Advent Procession. The Choir of York Minster will process through the cathedral to music, readings and prayers.
Free, pre-booked tickets required.
Christmas Carol Concerts
Thursday 4 and Friday 5 December, 7pm
The Choir of York Minster will perform much-loved Christmas music, with seasonal readings from special guest Garry Cooper (whose work includes Quadrophenia and House of the Dragon) and music by the Yorkshire Volunteer Band.
This year’s concerts are kindly supported by JM Finn.
Tickets priced between £15 and £40 available via yorkminster.org
The Nutcracker
Saturday 6 December, 7pm
A magical performance of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker for children and adults alike. Narration by local children’s actor Gemma Sharp (Artistic Director of local theatre company Hoglets), and music by Benjamin Morris, York Minster’s Assistant Director of Music, who will bring this ever-popular music to life on the cathedral’s spectacular Grand Organ.
Tickets priced between £7 and £30 available via yorkminster.org
Sankta Lucia: Festival of Light
Monday 15 December, 7pm
An atmospheric, candlelit procession and carol service based on the traditional Swedish Lucia celebration. The service is run in partnership with the York Anglo-Scandinavian Society.
Free, pre-booked tickets required.
Fairytale at York Minster: Christmas Hits by Candlelight
Wednesday 17 December, 7.30pm
Ignite Concerts presents an evening of Christmas classics performed by Alistair Griffin and the elegant Ebor Quartet.
Tickets priced between £22.50 and £55 available via yorkminster.org
Chapter House Choir ‘Carols by Candlelight’
Friday 19 December, 7.30pm
The choir celebrates its 60th anniversary in the magnificent candlelit Nave of York Minster with this much-loved seasonal tradition. The Chapter House Choir will be joined by the Chapter House Youth Choir and the Handbell Ringers of the Chapter House Choir.
Tickets priced between £7.50 and £20 available via yorkminster.org
Nine Lessons and Carols
Tuesday 23 & Wednesday 24 December, 4pm
Two services consisting of nine special readings, carols sung by the Choir of York Minster and hymns for everyone to join in. A traditional Christmas celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Free, pre-booked tickets required.
Crib Service
Wednesday 24 December, 11.30am
The Christmas story in a fun and accessible service for families with carols and musical accompaniment. Children are encouraged to dress up as characters from the Nativity and there will be a chance to see the crib.
Free, no tickets required.
Midnight Mass
Wednesday 24 December, 11.30pm
Experience the First Eucharist of Christmas with choral music sung by the St William’s Singers.
Free, no tickets required.
Christmas Day Services
Thursday 25 December
York Minster celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
8am: Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer
10am: Choral Matins sung by the Choir of York Minster
11am: Sung Eucharist sung by the Choir of York Minster, with sermon by The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York.
4pm: Choral Evensong sung by the Choir of York Minster, with sermon by The Right Reverend Flora Winfield DD, Bishop of Selby.
The cathedral will be open free of charge from 12.45pm – 3.30pm.
Revisiting York Minster’s Rose Window
A skilled team of heritage craftspeople are beginning a significant restoration project at York Minster which will include an up-close analysis of the iconic Rose Window.
41 years ago, a devastating fire tore through York Minster leaving the precious stone and glass of the South Transept heavily damaged. The cathedral’s Rose Window, a symbol of the union between the Yorkist and Lancastrian houses that had looked out over the city for 500 years, was subjected to 450C heat and cracked in 40,000 places.
The new project will see the Minster’s talented stonemasons working alongside experts from the York Glaziers Trust to conserve three huge lancet windows in the cathedral’s South Transept which depict Saints Peter, Paul, Wilfred, and William of York. Due to their positioning, the lancets were not subjected to the same extreme thermal stress as the Rose Window. However, centuries of exposure to the elements have rendered the medieval glass vulnerable to corrosion and paint loss. Revolutionary protective glazing will be added to the windows to help safeguard these precious works of art well into the next century and beyond.
Professor Sarah Brown, Director of the York Glaziers Trust, explained: “These windows have a history stretching back many hundreds of years. They can be attributed to the workshop of Robert Petty in the late 15th century and have undergone a variety of restorations and additions, as well as being completely removed during the Second World War.
“It was Peter Gibson OBE, former superintendent of the York Glaziers Trust, who insisted that the Rose Window could be saved after the 1984 fire. At the time, some people saw its perilous condition as an opportunity for a completely new stained glass commission! Thankfully, his advice was heeded and the glaziers worked tirelessly to restore the artwork.
“It’s a real honour for our team to be back in the South Transept again, both to admire the work of our predecessors and to play our part in ensuring that this masterpiece is preserved for many generations to come.”
Chris Loughran, the newly-appointed Director of York Minster Fund, said: “The York Minster Fund was created in 1967 during one of the Minster’s greatest challenges in recent history – the threatened collapse of the Central Tower. Since then, we have supported the cathedral through a range of challenges and opportunities, including the restoration following the 1984 fire and the creation of the new Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills and Estate Management.
“We are incredibly grateful to all of our supporters who have given generously towards this campaign. In particular, we want to thank the Julia Rausing Trust who awarded us a £500,000 grant in 2024. This generous donation has supported the building of the Minster’s Centre of Excellence, the restoration of three windows in the cathedral’s South Transept, and a close analysis of the Rose Window. These projects will deliver far-reaching impact in York Minster and across the heritage sector.”
It took four years to rebuild and restore York Minster after the 1984 fire. The new scaffolding, which has been erected inside and outside the South Transept, will allow members of the Minster team to access the Rose Window and review the repair works undertaken in this period. The analysis will reveal how the restoration methods and materials have stood the test of time and whether the window needs further repairs.
Alex McCallion, Director of Works and Precinct at York Minster, added: “The South Transept is symbolic of the determination and dedication of all those who have been entrusted with this magnificent building over the centuries. Four decades ago, a multidisciplinary team of skilled craftspeople worked to sensitively restore the cathedral after that devastating fire. They, like all of those who had come before them in the Minster’s history, used the very best tools and techniques available to them at the time, being forward-thinking in their approach to the repairs.
“We now have a fantastic opportunity to reexamine their work to allow us to better understand the Rose Window and how we might care for it into the future.”
Go behind the scenes at York Minster’s Heritage Fair
Visitors will be amongst the first to go behind the scenes at York Minster’s Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills and Estate Management at a one-off Heritage Fair on Saturday 2 August.
The day’s events will allow members of the public to explore two new buildings – the Heritage Quad and the Works & Technology Hub – which together constitute the next generation of heritage conservation at the Minster: The Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills and Estate Management. Built to the highest environmental standards, the buildings host both traditional craft skills and the latest in stonecutting technology, powered by solar panels and fed by rainwater capture systems.
Visitors will also meet the Minster’s stonemasons in their new Heritage Quad, view some of the incredible craft skills used on site, and explore the latest in digital technologies used to care for the Minster at the Works & Technology Hub, where visitors will also be able to meet the skilled conservators and craftspeople of the York Glaziers Trust.
The Centre of Excellence represents a significant development not just for York’s historic buildings, but for worldwide heritage conservation: the Minster’s team consulted with heritage estates as far away as Christchurch Cathedral, New Zealand when designing and building the Centre. The Heritage Fair will bring this international community together in a series of livestreamed lectures from global partners on Friday 1 August – Yorkshire Day!
York Minster and York Glaziers Trust have long histories of training the next generation of craftspeople, represented on the day by a careers pavilion, located in front of the York Minster Refectory, with representatives from across the heritage sector.
Alex McCallion, Director of Works and Precinct, outlined the significance of the Heritage Fair: “Saturday 2 August will be a special day for us as welcome visitors to the Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills and Estate Management – a major development for us at the Minster, and arguably one of the most important projects of our adopted Neighbourhood Plan.
“The day will give everyone an opportunity to come and see the new Works & Technology Hub on Deangate and the incredible Heritage Quad, which houses our stonemasons and apprentice accommodation. We aim to inspire the next generation of heritage craftspeople and build pride in this major development for York and the wider heritage sector.
“We are incredibly grateful to all the donors, supporters and partners who have made the Centre of Excellence possible – including significant donations from the Garfield Weston Foundation, Julia Rausing Trust and York Minster Fund, our lead fundraising partners. The Heritage Fair has also been funded via the generosity of the Friends of York Minster and PMJ Masonry.
“The Centre represents a gear change in how we care for historic buildings in the 21st century, carefully balancing traditional skills and using technology as one of our many tools. It also provides a blueprint for others as we continue to share knowledge and new opportunities for collaboration. We are delighted to be welcoming many of our national and international partners who will join us for the Fair. Please do come and celebrate the new Centre with us.”
Professor Sarah Brown, Director of the York Glaziers Trust, said: “While stained glass is an ancient craft, its care and conservation in the 21st century can only benefit from access to the cutting-edge facilities and training opportunities afforded by the Centre of Excellence. We are delighted to be participating in this exciting event.”
Free, pre-booked tickets are required to visit the Heritage Quad and the Works and Technology Hub. Tickets are available here: York Minster | Heritage Fair. No tickets are required to visit the Careers Pavilion.
York Minster goes for Eco Gold – and succeeds!
On World Environment Day (Thursday 5 June), York Minster has announced that it has received a Gold Eco Church Award. The achievement follows many years of strategic and sustained action to address the climate crisis and a commitment to better care for God’s creation, now and into the future.
The prestigious award is the highest accolade in the Eco Church programme which is operated by A Rocha UK, a Christian charity working to protect and restore the natural world. Their national environmental and ecological programme inspires and equips churches, cathedrals, and dioceses to care for creation through their worship, buildings, land, community engagement, and lifestyles.
York Minster can trace its history back nearly 1400 years to its founding for the baptism of King Edwin of Northumbria in 627AD. This long history has not stopped the cathedral’s staff, volunteers, and members of its worshipping community in being forward thinking in their pledge to fight climate change. The cathedral’s Vision and Strategy for 2030 makes a commitment to establish York Minster as a pioneering, low carbon heritage estate with environmental sustainability integrated throughout behaviours, business practices, and building innovation.
Following a Bronze Award in 2016 and Silver in 2017, the cathedral has taken significant action to become more sustainable through:
- The installation of 184 solar panels on the roof of the cathedral, as well as three other solar installations across the precinct;
- The creation of Minster Gardens and the redevelopment of College Green as two areas of green space in the city centre;
- The retrofit of York Minster Refectory using sustainable technologies;
- The establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills and Estate Management combining the preservation of craft skills, pursuit of a low carbon estate, and the expansion of green spaces.
Other initiatives have included Creationtide celebrations, nature trails for children and families, participation in York Environment Weeks, the resowing of wildflower meadows, a reduction of plastic packaging for products sold in the Minster Shops, and the installation of air source heat pumps and rainwater capture across the precinct.
York Minster’s ambition to develop a low carbon heritage estate is encapsulated in the York Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Plan which set a community action to achieve Gold Eco Church status by 2025. The Plan was adopted in 2022 and was developed by the York Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Forum, made up of residents, those who work in the precinct area, and its Ward Councillors, and was subject to extensive public consultation.
The Reverend Maggie McLean, York Minster’s Canon Missioner and Chair of the Environmental Sustainability Group, said: “Humanity is the creation of a Creator God. We are called by God to care for this planet we call home. We all recognise that we have not cared for the earth with the self-sacrificing and nurturing love that it requires of us. We all need to repent for our part in causing the current environmental crisis that has led to climate change.
“The Fifth Mark of Mission is ‘to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth’. From the Gardens Team who carefully tend to the 7 hectares of land in our care, to the Stonemasons who work tirelessly to repair the damage caused by a changing climate, we have recognised our unique responsibility as the Mother Church of the Northern Province to lead by example in the hope that we can inspire other cathedrals and historic buildings to follow in our footsteps.
“York Minster’s work towards this award is our part in trying to redress this balance and a commitment, by small acts of continual change, to tread more lightly upon this earth, for the good of all humanity and for the flourishing of all creation.”
Alex McCallion, Director of Works and Precinct at York Minster, added: “We are delighted to be able to announce our achievement on World Environment Day, a day when we can come together to call for collective action and systemic change.
“Our adopted Neighbourhood Plan has helped us make significant changes in a restrictive heritage environment, working collaboratively with City of York Council and Historic England. Climate change poses a substantial long-term threat to the fabric of York Minster and the Precinct and so our sensitive interventions, balanced against the significance of the Minster and its estate, becomes increasingly important as we get close to 2030 – the ambitious net zero target set by both City of York Council and the Church of England.
“Our work to care for God’s creation does not stop here. Sustainability will remain at the heart of all we do here at York Minster as we drive towards net zero and ensure that future generations can enjoy this magnificent building as we do today”.
York Minster will host a Heritage Festival on the first weekend of August. As part of the Festival, York Minster will be lit up in green to celebrate the award and a special service of Choral Evensong will focus on sustainability. More details will be released in the coming weeks.
York Minster marks women’s war memorial centenary with two new exhibitions
On Tuesday 24 June, York Minster will mark the 100th anniversary of the rededication of the Five Sisters Window as a memorial to women who died in the First World War. Ahead of the anniversary, on Thursday 5 June two new exhibitions will open inside the cathedral focusing on the women, past and present, who have shaped life at York Minster.
The Five Sisters Window is a storied but often overlooked artwork; its grisaille glass makes it strikingly different to other windows in York Minster. Completed around 1250, the window is made up of five lancets, each over 16 metres high and 1.5 metres wide. Its rededication as a war memorial was the vision of two inspirational women: Helen Little and Almyra Gray. Together, they established Britain’s first and only national memorial to women of the First World War.
The exhibitions, which form part of York Minster’s new programme for 2025: Visions, Voices, Vocations, are:
Visions, Voices, Vocations: Commemorating Women of the First World War
In the North Transept, beneath the Five Sisters Window, a new exhibition titled ‘Visions, Voices, Vocations: Commemorating Women of the First World War’ will explore the story behind the window and the vision and inspiring campaign that saw it become part of a memorial to women who died in service during the war.
Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about some of the women commemorated in the memorial and their wartime roles, as well as York Minster’s ongoing research.
Visions, Voices, Vocations: Celebrating Women in York Minster
A new portrait exhibition from award-winning photographer Olivia Hemingway will highlight the irreplaceable contributions of women across the life of the Minster.
Titled ‘Visions, Voices, Vocations: Celebrating Women in York Minster’, the exhibition will be shown in the Minster’s stunning medieval Chapter House across high-definition screens.
The emotive installation will capture just some of the inspirational women who contribute to the life and mission of the Minster today, ranging from its police force and musicians to stonemasons and conservators.
The exhibitions will open on Thursday 5 June and will run alongside special ‘Women in the Minster’ tours with York Minster’s expert volunteer guides following in the footsteps of influential women including Saint Hilda of Whitby, Saint Æthelburh of Kent, and Saint Helena of Constantinople. Both exhibitions and the tours are included with a general admission ticket.
Commemorative Evensong
The Minster will hold a special service of Choral Evensong on Tuesday 24 June at 5.30pm to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the rededication. The service will start in the Minster’s Quire and end in the North Transept beneath the Five Sisters Window.
The Very Reverend Dominic Barrington, Dean of York, said: “This anniversary is an opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of women in the First World War who took on diverse and dangerous roles, often as volunteers.
“Our archive holds copies of the order of service from 100 years ago when the Five Sisters Window was rededicated in a ceremony with the Duchess of York. It is clear from this precious document just how important it was to the people of York, and those beyond, that there was a dedicated memorial here for women who died during the war. Archbishop Cosmo Lang, who preached at the service, summarised the cathedral’s support for this in saying: ‘You here present who mourn their passing from your homes will know that their names will remain for ever here, written on the Minster’s heart.’
“Today, the women who worship, work, and volunteer here are just as valued and important. This programme of activities and events seeks to highlight their diverse contributions and shine a light on those vocations which are perhaps less known, such as those of our female stonemasons.”
Dr Helen Rawson, Director of Collections, Cultural Heritage and Learning at York Minster, added: “It is incredibly exciting to be opening two new exhibitions inside the cathedral, both offering different interpretations of our theme ‘Visions, Voices, Vocations’.
“The exhibition in the Chapter House will allow the public to ‘meet’ some of the women at York Minster through beautiful images captured by award-winning photographer Olivia Hemingway. It has been a real joy to collaborate with Hemingway on this project and to see these people through her eyes.
“The exhibition in the North Transept explores the inspiring campaign to fundraise for the memorial and provides an insight into the role of women in the war – a subject which we know is close to many people’s hearts – especially in a year that sees us mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
“As much as this programme has been about looking back at the work already done to commemorate women, we are also developing a list of women missing from the memorial’s roll of honour, checking against the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and other sources. We will seek to commemorate these women too.”
York Minster seeks three new apprentices
York Minster is seeking three new apprentices from all walks of life to join its multidisciplinary team of skilled heritage craftspeople who care for the cathedral and its seven-hectare precinct.
The apprentices will join the cathedral at an exciting time as the new Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills and Estate Management opens its doors. The Centre has established the York Minster precinct as a world-class campus facility for research, education, and training in traditional craft skills, which the apprentices will both benefit from and contribute towards. The Centre is at the cutting edge, integrating the latest in technology and new workspaces, all whilst meeting the highest standards in environmental sustainability.
No two days are the same when working across an ancient estate of listed buildings ranging from the 12th century Old Palace and the Minster itself, to the many residential and commercial properties that complete the precinct.
The new apprentices will join a team passionate about caring for this very special place at the heart of the historic City of York. Their roles will be crucial in passing on this fragile building to the next generation, in a heritage estate that is rapidly evolving to face the challenges of the 21st century.
The apprenticeships available are:
Apprentice Electrician
The Apprentice Electrician will play a key role working alongside our Electrical Engineer as York Minster continues its decarbonisation journey taking a leading role in heritage adaptation through the use of renewable energies.
Apprentice Painter & Decorator
The Apprentice Painter & Decorator will have an eye for detail, creative flair and enthusiasm for the historic built environment. They will work closely with our wider Property Development Team to ensure that the cathedral and the other buildings within in the precinct remain in good decorative order.
Apprentice Stonemason
The Apprentice Stonemason will learn the ancient craft of stonemasonry, alongside gaining hands-on experience with the latest digital technologies. They will use a wide range of tools to help combat some of the emerging challenges, such as climate change, which historic buildings like York Minster are facing.
Cate Birch, Head of Fundraising and Development at York Minster Fund, said: “As the lead fundraisers for York Minster, York Minster Fund are delighted to be continuing our support of a range of skills-based apprenticeships at the cathedral.
“With an urgent need for new recruits into the sector to meet construction and heritage conservation demand, these roles are crucial in enabling us to maintain and preserve our magnificent Minster for many generations to come.
“We are deeply grateful to all our charitable supporters for their funding, which ensures we can continue this vital work to the highest standards.”
Applying for the apprenticeships:
These roles are open to candidates from all walks of life, and the Minster welcomes applications from those without specific prior experience in these fields.
Full role descriptions and details of how to apply can be found on the Minster’s website: York Minster | Vacancies
York Minster launches Talent Awards – commissioning new artworks to celebrate its 1400th anniversary
2027 will see York Minster celebrating the 1400th anniversary of its founding for the baptism of King Edwin of Northumbria in 627AD. Today, the Minster is working alongside York-based curator Cherie Federico to bring three contemporary artists into the historic building to tell this epic tale anew.
The commissions will form the backdrop to year-long celebrations that will reflect on the Minster’s 14 centuries of unbroken mission, as well as setting a course for its future in a programme that takes its title from the baptismal vows: “With the help of God, we will…”.
The £10,000 Talent Awards provide opportunities for two new and emerging artists to exhibit alongside an established artist in a series of largescale, multidisciplinary installations in some of the most awe-inspiring settings. The two commissions comprise of a Sound Commission, inviting an artist to create an immersive audio experience that resonates within the Minster’s vast, atmospheric spaces, and a Contemporary Art Commission, open to visual and interdisciplinary artists working in sculpture, installation, moving image, digital media, photography and beyond.
The Talent Awards are open to anyone anywhere in the world and are an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing narrative of a space that has stood as a centre of culture, craft, and community for nearly 1,400 years.
York Minster has partnered with Cherie Federico, Director of Aesthetica and a leading figure in York’s creative community, to commission a bold new artistic response to the cathedral’s 1400th anniversary. Aesthetica, one of the UK’s most influential contemporary art and culture platforms, began with its widely read magazine and has since grown into a powerhouse that includes the BAFTA-Qualifying Aesthetica Film Festival and the Aesthetica Art Prize, which attract talent from across the world. This collaboration marks a significant moment in the Minster’s 1400-year history, uniting heritage with cutting-edge contemporary practice.
The Very Reverend Dominic Barrington, Dean of York, said: “No visitor to the Minster leaves without a sense of the artistry that generations have poured into this place. I am delighted to be continuing this great legacy as we explore the moment that marks the start of a person’s journey with Christ – baptism – and the moment that, in a way, marked the start of York Minster. These exciting artistic commissions offer a chance to rediscover, reassess and reassert our mission today through the lens of contemporary art.”
Cherie Federico, Director of Aesthetica, said: “It’s an honour to be working with York Minster as they mark 1400 years of history and faith. This anniversary is a moment to reflect on the Minster’s incredible legacy, but also a way to look ahead and invite new voices to interpret that story in meaningful and contemporary ways. We’re especially interested in how artists can explore themes of water and baptism – powerful symbols of renewal and transformation. These concepts offer rich ground for creative exploration across all disciplines, from sculpture and installation to moving image and digital media.
“We’re looking for bold, innovative artists with fresh perspectives – those who can connect the past with the present in ways that resonate with today’s audiences.
“The selected artist will receive a £10,000 commission and the opportunity to exhibit their work for 10 months inside one of the most iconic spaces in Europe. It’s an extraordinary platform for any artist, and we’re excited to see how contemporary practice can illuminate history, create dialogue and bring new energy into the Minster’s continuing story.”
Artists interested in submitting a response to the brief should go to https://aestheticamagazine.com/york-minster-talent-award-open-for-submissions/ for more information and a link to the application form. The deadline for submissions is 9 June 2025 with the winners announced in late July 2025.
Heavy metal, improvisation, and wild animals: York Minster’s 2025 organ programme
Acclaimed musicians from across the musical world are ready to pull out all the stops in a diverse programme of organ concerts at York Minster.
The cathedral’s popular Summer Organ Recitals will return with celebrated soloists joining York Minster’s own accomplished organists. The series will be opened by Wayne Marshall OBE, a world-renowned conductor and master of improvisation who will include some of his own compositions alongside classics and live improvisations in his dazzling style. He will be followed by Jan Liebermann, one of the most promising young artists in the organ world who is well-known for his ability to play complex pieces entirely from memory; Daniel Cook, a performer with a unique understanding of early-twentieth-century organs like York Minster’s having recorded the complete works of many classic British organ composers; and Carolyn Craig, an award-winning American organist who champions female composers as the co-founder of the platform Amplify Female Composers.
York Minster’s own acclaimed musicians – Robert Sharpe, Director of Music, and Benjamin Morris, Assistant Director of Music, who are both experienced soloists performing in the UK and abroad – complete the line-up for six nights of spectacular organ music. The recitals will take place on Thursday evenings from 17 July to 21 August, beginning at 7pm. Tickets are now available via the York Minster website, starting from just £7.50.
Following sold out performances of The Nutcracker and Peter and the Wolf, York Minster will also be offering another family-sized exploration of the organ. Young listeners will be guided through Camille Saint-Saëns’ The Carnival of the Animals with the chance to get up-close to the organ to see how the instrument is played. The familiar and accessible composition will be accompanied by a narrator sharing fun facts about the wild animals that roam through Saint-Saëns’ creation and York Minster’s history. The short performance, given by Benjamin Morris, will take place on Wednesday 28 May.
The Summer Organ Recitals and family organ concert will follow the upcoming Organic Metal showcase which will see David Pipe, former Assistant Director of Music at York Minster, performing classics from Black Sabbath and Deep Purple on York Minster’s Grand Organ alongside classical organ pieces. Plague of Angels, an electro-symphonic-metal powerhouse, will present their own heavy metal music enhanced by the power and grandeur of the organ. Tickets for Organic Metal sold out in less than a week, with more than 10% of attendees benefitting from a discounted ticket for those aged 27 and under.
Robert Sharpe, Director of Music at York Minster, said: “Organ music has played a central role in worship at York Minster for nearly 1,000 years. We have carefully crafted a programme of concerts and recitals that reflects this long and important history, but that also displays the incredible diversity of the organ and those who play and listen to it.
“We have a fantastic line-up of guest soloists set to perform at our Summer Organ Recitals, all of whom will showcase our Grand Organ in a different way. I am looking forward to hearing them perform at this fourth series of concerts since the organ’s expert refurbishment by Harrison & Harrison.
“The heavy metal concert and performance of The Carnival of the Animals complete our 2025 organ concert offering, which we hope will encourage people to engage with the instrument in new and exciting ways.
“I am very proud that we are once again able to offer discounted tickets for students and those aged 27 and under to allow as many people as possible to attend the concerts.
“Do join us for what promises to be another great year of organ music at York Minster.”
Tickets and event information:
Organic Metal: presented by Plague of Angels
Friday 25 April, 7.30pm
Tickets for this event have sold out.
The Carnival of the Animals
Wednesday 28 May, 7pm
Tickets priced at £7 children, £10 for adults, and £30 for families will be available via www.yorkminster.org in April.
Summer Organ Recitals
Thursdays 17 July – 21 August, 7pm
Tickets for the recitals are available now via www.yorkminster.org priced at £15, with a combined season ticket price of £75 for all six recitals. A concessionary price of £7.50 for those aged 27 and under is also available, as well as a combined season ticket price of £38.
Beneath the Cross: Lent, Holy Week & Easter at York Minster
York Minster has today announced its programme of services, events and activities to mark Lent, Holy Week and Easter 2025.
The Lent Cross, the central symbol of the Christian Faith, will be suspended from the Central Tower on Shrove Tuesday and will remain in place until The Day of Pentecost. The six metres tall installation, constructed from wooden scaffolding boards in the Minster’s workshop, serves as a visual reminder throughout the season of Jesus’ journey to the cross and beyond.
Beginning on Ash Wednesday (5 March), Christians in York and across the world will keep a season of penitence culminating in the observance of Holy Week. This week recalls the passion, crucifixion and burial of Jesus, and on Easter Day (20 April) the joyful celebration of his resurrection from the dead.
The Very Reverend Dominic Barrington, Dean of York, said: “The journey through Lent and Holy Week to Easter is tumultuous. We follow Jesus through periods of fear, betrayal, persecution and death, but also through friendship, hope, trust and glorious resurrection. At York Minster, we follow this journey from beneath the great cross that hangs in the cathedral’s nave. At a time when we live with so much uncertainty in our lives, the cross reminds us of the certain promise of God’s enduring and undying love for the world.
“I am thrilled that the Reverend Canon James Walters, founding director of the London School of Economics’ Faith Centre, will be joining us in Holy Week to deliver a sermon series called Bearing Fruit from the Seed that Dies. A leading expert in interfaith leadership and religious literacy, he will bring a unique perspective to the story of Christ’s passion at a time of considerable global upheaval.
“I hope that many will join us both in person and online for our worship through this holy season, and will discover anew the power of this, the ultimate story of redemption and resurrection.”
Key events and services are:
Ash Wednesday – Wednesday 5 March
The Minster will be given to prayer and worship on Ash Wednesday. All are welcome, whether to join acts of worship, to pray on their own or to experience the space.
Services with Imposition of Ashes:
7.50am: Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes
12.30pm: Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes
5.30pm: Choral Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes (with Allegri’s Miserere)
Lent Compline – Thursdays 13 March – 10 April, 8.30pm
On Thursdays during Lent (other than on Thursday 6 March), The Ebor Singers, an associate choir of York Minster, will sing Compline in the Quire.
The ancient monastic service of Compline is a contemplative, candle-lit moment of stillness and simplicity. This form of night prayer brings the day to a close and prepares us for sleep in the knowledge we are known and loved by God. Traditionally after this service we are encouraged to enter into a period of silence.
Handel’s Messiah – Saturday 22 March, 7pm
Experience George Frideric Handel’s glorious Messiah performed by the world-renowned Choir of York Minster in the cathedral’s awe-inspiring Nave, alongside an accomplished orchestra and celebrated soloists.
Minster Mash-Up: Mothering Sunday – Saturday 29 March, 10am
At this special event, families are invited to join a short service where we give thanks for those who mother us and for our Minster, the Mother Church of the Northern Province.
Holy Week sermon series from the Director of the LSE Faith Centre
The Reverend Canon James Walters, Director of the Faith Centre at the London School of Economics will preach throughout Holy Week, offering a series of sermons entitled Bearing Fruit from the Seed that Dies, based on the fruits of the Spirit from the fifth chapter of the Epistle to the Galatians.
Themed sermons will be given at the following services:
‘Love’ at the Procession and Eucharist for Palm Sunday, 13 April
‘Joy’ at Midday Eucharist and Compline, Monday 14 April
‘Peace’ at Compline, Tuesday 15 April
‘Patience’ at Midday Eucharist and Compline, Wednesday 16 April
‘Kindness’ at the Sung Eucharist with Washing of Feet, Thursday 17 April
‘Generosity, Faithfulness & Gentleness’ at The Three Hours’ Devotion with the Liturgy of Good Friday, Friday 18 April
‘Self control’ at The Vigil and First Eucharist of Easter, Saturday 19 April
Palm Sunday – Sunday 13 April
Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week and the Sunday before Easter Day. On this day, we commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and reflect upon the Passion story.
Procession and Eucharist for Palm Sunday, 10.30am
The service begins outside the Minster with the blessing of palm crosses before the congregation, led by a donkey, processes into the cathedral as a reminder of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The service then turns from triumph to sorrow as the Choir of York Minster sings the Passion Gospel, marking the beginning of Jesus’ journey towards the cross.
Choral Evensong, 4pm
A service of Choral Evensong which prepares us for our walk with Christ through Holy Week.
Stainer’s Crucifixion, 7.30pm
The Ebor Singers, an associate choir of York Minster, will perform John Stainer’s Crucifixion. The work incorporates congregational hymns with a recounting of the passion of Christ.
Compline in Holy Week, Monday 14, Tuesday 15 & Wednesday 16 April, 7.30pm
This beautiful candlelit service of night prayer or ‘compline’ will be sung by The Ebor Singers, an associate choir of York Minster. Compline is a form of prayer said at the completion of the day, and traditionally after this service we are encouraged to enter into a period of silence.
Chrism Eucharist – Tuesday 15 April, 11am
The Chrism Eucharist takes its name from Chrismation (anointing). The Archbishop of York will preach and will bless the oils used at services of baptism, confirmation, and ordination and for healing. The Archbishop will gather clergy from around the Diocese to renew the vows made at their ordinations, remembering the ministry to which they are called.
Maundy Thursday – Thursday 17 April
Sung Eucharist with Washing of Feet, 7pm
The Liturgy of Maundy Thursday recalls the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples in the upper room, before his arrest and trial. We remember too that Jesus called us to love and serve one another through the washing of feet. As we bless and share bread and wine, we follow his command to proclaim his death until he comes in glory.
The Watch, 8.30pm
The Watch follows the Maundy Thursday Liturgy. The Watch – a type of vigil – recalls the time Jesus spent in the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest, trial and crucifixion.
Good Friday, Friday 18 April
On Good Friday, Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus. The Minster will be given to prayer and worship on Good Friday. All are welcome, whether to join acts of worship, to pray on their own or to experience the space.
Good Friday Family Service, 10am
A service for all the family reflecting on the events of Good Friday and on hope in the face of loss.
The Three Hours’ Devotion with the Liturgy of Good Friday, 12noon
We begin the Three Hours’ Devotion with a service of meditation, music and prayers with periods of silence and addresses. At 1.30pm, the formal Liturgy of Good Friday will commence with the singing of the Passion, prayers of intercession and the veneration of the cross.
Choral Evensong for Good Friday, 5.30pm
During this service the Choir of York Minster will sing Antonio Lotti’s anthem for 8 voices, Crucifixus etiam pro nobis, a traditional passiontide piece.
Holy Saturday – Saturday 19 April
The Vigil and First Eucharist of Easter, 8pm
This Eucharist moves from darkness to light. We recall God’s saving actions through time, culminating in the Resurrection in the light of the first Easter Day.
The Easter Vigil marks the end of the emptiness of Holy Saturday, and leads into the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. The Archbishop of York with preside at this service and candidates will reaffirm their faith through confirmation.
Easter Day, Sunday 20 April
On Easter Day, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. The Minster will be given to prayer and worship on Easter Sunday. All are welcome, whether to join acts of worship, to pray on their own or to experience the space.
Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer, 8am
A simple said service in the traditional language of the Book of Common Prayer.
Choral Matins on Easter Day, 10am
Following the pattern of Matins from the Book of Common Prayer, with sung psalms, canticles and an anthem.
Festal Eucharist, 11am
We greet the risen Lord with joy, proclaiming Alleluia, Christ is risen, He is risen indeed! The Archbishop of York will preach and preside at this service.
Festal Evensong, 4pm
A great day of rejoicing culminates in an uplifting service of Choral Evensong.