All Saints Pavement
York, Yorkshire
A fine medieval church situated in the heart of the historic city of York.
St Wilfrid’s serves the villages of Great Langton and Little Langton, and is situated halfway between them. This part of the country suffered much from the raids and ravages of the Danes. In the Domesday Book of 1086 the parish of Langton is described as having been laid waste. The present church stands by itself in the fields, reached by a grass track from the road along the east bank of the Swale. The large churchyard slopes away to the beck on the south. Standing at the church door there is not a single habitation in sight. Only the calling of the birds can be heard and sometimes the bleating of sheep or an occasional car or tractor. It is one of the most peaceful places imaginable.
The church’s isolated position has given much rise to speculation. It is sometimes supposed that an original village nearby was abandoned and destroyed after the Black Death of the 14th century.
The church is constructed of rendered sandstone with stone dressage and a stone slated roof, and its south and north doorways date back to the 12th century. The 13th century chancel was rebuilt in the 14th century and the priest's door and east window (described by Pevsner as "Fine... with an uncommon variety of reticulated tracery"). The building was restored in 1856 by Lord Teignmouth of nearby Langton Hall.
The church is well loved and, although it directly serves congregation, it benefits from larger services attended by members of Lower Swale churches.