The great interest of St. Sampson's lies in the fact that it is the only church in the country dedicated to the legendary Archbishop of York who was supposedly installed by King Arthur's uncle, Ambrosius Aurelianus, after repelling a force of Saxon invaders in AD 466. The building appears to have originally been built into the wall of the old Roman city. Part of an early 11th century cross shaft, found in the area, certainly shows its ancient origins.

The tower of this 15th century church was heavily damaged by cannon fire during the Civil War Siege of York in 1644. It was later restored but, by 1845, the whole building was almost a complete ruin, apparently due to a bad fire. Rebuilt soon afterward, it closed for worship in 1969. It stands just off St. Sampson's Square, and is now a day centre for the city's senior citizens.

Next Stop: Parliament Street

York Shortcuts Roman Remains City Walls Monk Bar Goodramgate Bedern Chapel & Hall St. William's College York Minster Treasurer's House Dean's Park Minster Library Minster Yard Constantine's Statue Petergate St. Michael Le Belfry Bootham Bar City Art Gallery King's Manor De Grey Rooms Theatre Royal St. Leonard's Hospital Museum Gardens Multangular Tower Anglian Tower Yorkshire Museum St. Mary's Chapter House St. Mary's Abbey St. Mary's Hospitium St. Olave's Assembly Rooms Stonegate Snickelways Barley Hall St. Hel Square Mansion House Guildhall St. Martin Le Grand Roman Baths St. Sampson's Parliament Street King's Square Shambles Ghost Walks St. Crux Parish Room Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate All Saints' Pavement Archaeological Resource Centre Coppergate Jorvik Viking Centre Merchant Adventurers' Hall Dick Turpin's Grave Walmgate Bar York Story Fairfax House York Dungeon Clifford's Tower York Castle Museum Dick Turpin's Cell National Railway Museum Micklegate Bar York Races Bishopthorpe Palace

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