The present building dates from the 14th century but tradition has it that the first church was built in 685AD for St Cuthbert. All Saints Church, Pavement, York, was mentioned in the Domesday Book as a gift from the King to the Bishop of Durham.
Archaeological evidence suggests that the first religious building on the site f the present church was around the 10th century. When the south aisle of the church was excavated in 1995, parts of the south, east and nave walls were found. Enough of this building was found to show that it was aligned with Coppergate and High Ousegate which would suggest that the building dated from Anglo-Scandinavian times.
This church was probably destroyed when the church was rebuilt in the 11th century. During the 14th century rebuilding was carried out once more with the lantren tower(1) being constructed around 1400 and a clerestory and battlements being added some 40 years later.
So that the market-place could be enlarged, the chancel and aisles were removed in 1782 and a new east wall built. 1834-37 saw extensive restoration of the tower and lantern.
From 1336 to 1671 a row of houses stood in the church yard to maintain a chapel to the Virgin Mary. These were replaced by a market cross, given by Marmaduke Rawden, which itself was removed in 1813.
(1)The lantern tower was built to house a lamp to act as a beacon for travellers in the Forest of Galtres to the north of the city. After the First World War it was restored to act as the church's war memorial.
The church retains many interesting features inside including the City council pew which is now used by the Church Wardens, the pulpit which dates from 1634 was made for Henry Ayscough, City Preacher, and was used by John Wesley to preach from during a vist to York
Until 1336 ther is evidence that All Saints possessed the dish on which John the Baptists head was supposedly carried to Herod. However dubious this relic may have been, it suggests a wealthy donor and a church of high importance.
There are many examples of wood carving in the church and some of these are shown below.