Church of St. Olave, Patron saint of Norway, adjacent to Gardens

St Olave's is an Anglican church in York. It is situated on Marygate by St Mary's Abbey ruins.

The church is situated within St Mary's Abbey walls, which was ruined in the Dissolution of the Monasteries. It is dedicated to St Olaf, patron saint of Norway. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle for 1055 records that ‘This year died Earl Siward at York; and his body lies in the minster at Galmanho, which he had himself ordered to be built and consecrated, in the name of God and St. Olave, to the honour of God and to all his saints.’ Galmanho is a former name for the area where the church stands and Siward, Earl of Northumbria is believed to have had his York residence. This is the earliest date for a church dedication to St Olaf (Olav in Norwegian) anywhere.

Photo 387, May 2011

Church of St Olave, entrance

Photo 389, May 2011

Church of St Olave, gargoyle

Photo 391, May 2011