York St Mary's, is a beautiful medieval church which opened as a contemporary visual art venue in 2004.

Each year, York Museums Trust commissions an artist to create a site-specific installation within this unique space.

The artists find inspiration within the walls of this atmospheric building and their work transforms it anew each summer.

The church itself could date back as far as 1020 and a dedication stone inside bears an inscription saying it was built by 'Efrard & Grim & Aese'. The remains of the original Saxon church are limited to stonework in the body of the church close to the chancel.

The bulk of the building dates to the early 13th century, with 14th and 15th century modifications and alterations. Records of burials in the church suggest it was a fashionable church towards the end of the medieval period.

It has the tallest steeple in York at 47 metres high.

York St Mary's was deconsecrated in 1958 and between 1975 and 2001 was a heritage centre.

Photo 767, May 2011