What is St. Sampson’s?

St. Sampson’s Centre is a community hub based in a former church building in the city centre of York. The centre provides a range of activities and a café so that local people can come together, reduce loneliness and isolation, and improve the wellbeing of older people and other residents through provision of support, advice, information, low-cost food and social activities. The café provides volunteer opportunities for ex-offenders and people with learning disabilities. Historically the centre and activities have focused on people over 60 but the centre and most activities are now open to people of all ages and backgrounds. By opening to people of all ages, the centre hopes to engender improved community cohesion, safety, and restore civic pride.  The ethos is to offer a ‘home away from home’ to users.

St. Sampson’s is an ancient church with an extensive historical past. Records showing it was in use as early as 1154 A.D. The church building has been rebuilt many times over its 850 year history including after the tower was damaged by gunshot during the Civil War in 1644. By 1844 the church building was so dilapidated that the church was forced to close. The church was most recently rebuilt in 1848 and later in 1907 the upper stage of the tower was added. In 1968 the decision was made to close the church due to low congregation numbers. For six years the church stood empty and unused, until York Civic Trust arranged its conversion into an older people’s centre. On 13th November 1974, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother officially opened the centre. The centre quickly became popular and in 1984 the adjoining parish hall was acquired, and an annexe opened alongside a courtyard garden. The centre continues to operate as a community hub into the present day offering a range of social activities and support as well as a low-cost café.