St Wilfrid's Roman Catholic Church in the shadow of the Minster, is seen by many people as ugly and rather too elaborate. It's interesting that as you approach the Minster from the traditional route over Lendal Bridge, the perspective makes this church appear to dominate, and look bigger than the Minster.

The architect of this 1860s church was George Goldie, and it is built in the "French Gothic style". Ronald Willis, in A Portrait of York, says "The tympanum over the west door carries some of the most intricate Victorian carving in the city." Patrick Nuttgens, in York: the Continuing City, refers to the church as merely "hideous".

Photo 235, May 2011

St Wilfrid's RC Church

Photo 255, May 2011

St Wilfrid's RC Church, detail of door

Photo 832, May 2011