Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

80 ANCIENT AND
presents a modern appearance. The windows contain
some painted glass representing the history of John the
Baptist. Church-room, 500 ; net value £91.
This church, built so close to the Cathedral as to pre
vent the spectator from viewing to advantage the south
west side, appears to have been founded about a century
after the Norman Conquest ; and probably was used as a
belfrey to the Minster. In 1194, it was confirmed to the
dean and chapter of York by Pope Celestine III. It was,
we are informed by Archbishop Sharp's MS., " an append
ant to the vicarage of St. Martin, in Coney-street, and
recently granted with it to the dean and chapter. It is
called a rectory, or parochial church, appendant to the
revenues of the dean and chapter, by whom it is usually
demised to the incumbent at the rent of £8 per annum."*
The original building appears to have been taken down in
1535, and the present fabric was completed ten years
afterwards. It is the largest and, internally, the handsomest
of the parish churches, consisting of a nave, chancel and side
aisles : it is 96 feet long and 63 feet wide. The west end
was formerly built against ; but all the houses from thence
to the top of Little Blake-street, have, within the last
few years, been removed ; by which the approach to the
Minster, from Bootham, is greatly improved. The inte
rior affords a good specimen of the architecture of the
sixteenth century ; the nave and chancel being divided
from the aisles by six depressed pointed arches, resting on
clusters of four columns, united by octagonal capitals.
At the east end of the north aisle is a tablet, to the
memory of the late Rev. William Richardson, a clergy
man, eminent for his exemplary piety and Christian zeal ;
and there are several other interesting monuments. In
this church also lie the remains of Mr. Thomas Gent,
* Archbishop Sharp's MS., vol. ii.