The York church that was meant to be twice the size – and why it never happened

St Chad's church soon after construction had finished

ST Chad’s Church on Campleshon Road, South Bank, York this year celebrates 100 years since it was built.

The foundation stone was laid in May1925, and the church was consecrated on October 9, 1926.

A service of celebration is due to be held on Sunday, October 11 at 10.30am, at which the Archbishop of York, The Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell, will preside.

Others attending are expected to be previous vicars, people who have been involved with the church over the years, as well as the usual congregation of St Chad’s and its associated churches, St Andrew’s, Bishopthorpe, and St Clement’s, York.

The church was originally planned in the early 20th century to serve the growing population of South Bank, particularly as it was thought that land by the racecourse would be developed for housing.

This land was actually used by Terry’s Ltd for their factory, which was also built in the 1920s. However, since the factory closed in 2005 the land has been developed for housing so that 100 years later, the church is serving its original purpose after all.

Original drawing of St Chad's church as planned

The driving force behind the idea of a new church to serve the rapidly expanding area was Canon Argles of St Clement’s. He died shortly after the First World War, but others pressed on with the plan.

With land donated by Colonel Wood of Nunthorpe Hall and the York Racecourse Committee and money from the Diocese of York, along with plenty of fund-raising and donations, the local architect Walter Brierley was employed to design the new church. It would turn out to be one of his last commissions, as he died shortly before it was completed.

The church was originally designed to be twice its current size, seating 700 worshippers, and was to be completed in stages over several years.

The first stage, as built in 1926, could seat 400. The cost of the original construction was estimated to be £9,000 (about £300,000 in 2026 prices).

Construction of St Chad's in progress, June 1926 taken from Campleshon Lane

Major fund-raising events took place in the early1920s, including three-day bazaars at the York Assembly Rooms. These included side shows, “dramatic entertainments”, music hall acts, luncheon, tea and supper each day, and various local dignitaries opening the events each day or making speeches. The church was finally built at a cost of £10,300 and it was expected that an extension would be added as funds become available.

Leaflet for the fundraising bazaar

The church was originally known as the Canon Argles Memorial Church and was a “daughter” church to St Clement’s. It was later named after St Chad of Mercia, who was Bishop of York between 664 and 669 and later Bishop of Lichfield. St Chad’s became an independent parish in 1928, with the Revd George Boddy becoming its first vicar.

In the 1950s it was accepted that the church would not be further extended and the vicarage was built on the land which had been intended for the extension. The west end of the church was finally finished in the 1960s, to make the building look substantially as it does today. The church hall was built in 1970 and in 1985 the remaining land was sold to build what is now Lichfield Court, named after St Chad’s later diocese.

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Some of the church’s fixtures and fittings have interesting histories. The organ was originally built for a Wesleyan mission church in Lancashire. It came to the church in the 1950s and was moved to its present position in a specially strengthened loft at the west end of the church in 1997. The quality of the organ and the church’s excellent acoustics have attracted lots of groups which give concerts, rehearse or make recordings, or all three.

The font is in memory of Donald Mackay, who was killed at the Battle of Passchendaele during the First World War in 1917, exactly nine years to the day before the church’s consecration date. It was gifted by Donald’s father also called Donald, and who was a Reader at the church.

Order of service October 9, 1961 - St Chad's

The pulpit was given in memory of John De Burgh, who died during the Second World War. His father, Harold, was a church warden and Lord Mayor of York in 1944-5.

Behind the altar is a finely carved reredos, donated by Miss Eleanor Kew, the Deputy Head of Knavesmire School. It includes carvings of four northern saints, Saints Hilda, Wilfrid, Aiden and Edwin.

The church has remained at the heart of South Bank since it was built and is thriving today. Over the years many local people have been involved in the church and there are many local families where several generations have been christened, married and had funeral services at the church. There have been many organisations associated with the church over the years, including children’s and youth groups, choirs, music groups, as well as the clubs and societies which have used the church hall.

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, who will be joining in celebrations at St Chad's in York to mark its centenary

The 100th anniversary year has been busy, with several special events, including concerts, exhibitions, social events and talks. Both the White Rose Quilters and the York Flower Club put on exhibitions earlier in the year and a special banner was created to celebrate the anniversary by St Clements craft group. The anniversary year will be rounded off with concerts given by the Micklegate Singers and the York Railway Institute Band in December.

St Chad’s is now part of a group of parishes, or benefice, including St Andrew’s in Bishopthorpe and St Clement’s on Scarcroft Road. St Chad’s and St Clement’s are now joined together again.