St Margaret’s Church, York

St Margaret’s Church in York was declared redundant by the Church of England back in 1974. Rather than turn it into some nefarious, godless enterprise, it is now the home of York’s National Centre for Early Music. At first I thought this was the place to get young children musically inclined, but I suspect it is more to do with archaic sounds and older instruments. Either way, it is a place in which our God-given appreciation of melody and harmony can be enjoyed and garnered.

The church building is now something of a concert venue, so I had to knock on the door and ask to view it, to which a young man readily agreed. The old space has been preserved, though I noted the addition of sound proofing on some of the walls. Whether this is to save the day staff from the sound of tuneless, young violinists, or the local residents from discordant cacophony of early modern bagpipes, I cannot say.

St Margaret’s Church, despite its eminently agreeable new purpose, seems like a picture of the church of God in modern Britain. Its main, south doorway is impressive, but locked, its other entrances mediated by the good will of its new occupants. Its sounds are muffled and guarded, lest the neighbours get disturbed or offended. It might look attractive, and there are those who are pleased by its continuity and social benefits, but the message itself is a little awkward, and needs confining, restricting, whispering or ignoring:

We are all condemned sinners, without exception

There is one way to God- Jesus Christ- and no other

Each will give an account of his life before God

There is a real place called hell

The Bible is the sole way we learn about God

The devil is real, and spreads his lies among the religious and irreligious in equal measure

SSSHHHHHHH!!! Say no more! Be Quiet! Please! You’ll wake up the neighbours!