On Tuesday 4 June, at 5.30pm, York Minster will host a special service of Choral Evensong to give thanks for 30 years of women’s priesthood.

The Revd Canon Sue Sheriff, one of the women ordained at York Minster in 1994, will preach at the service. The Choir of York Minster will sing music by Victoria, Summers and Andrew.

All are welcome to attend the service.

About the anniversary

In May 1994, York Minster held two services at which a total of 39 women were ordained priest to serve in parishes and chaplaincies within the Diocese of York.

The 39 ordained in York Minster had served previously – sometimes for many years or decades – as lay workers, deaconesses (a recognised but non-ordained parish ministry), and since 1987 as deacons, but until 1994 women were not permitted to be ordained as priest and to administer the full range of the church’s sacraments, including presiding at the service of Holy Communion.