York Minster

Archbishop visits The Centre for School Visits

Published Wednesday 16th January 2008 by CSV staff

The Most Revd and Rt Hon Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York visited York Minster’s Centre for School Visits on Wednesday 16th January 2008.

At the start of each year, The Dean & Chapter invite Yr 5 and Yr 6 pupils from schools across the Diocese of York to come and learn more about their Cathedral and Mother Church. Fifty Schools will be visiting the Centre during January, February and March of this year. Dr John Sentamu will join in with the visit of Tockwith Church of England Primary School. As part of the visit, the children are expected to learn about the Minster as a living place of worship and one of the children is to dress in vestments similar to those worn by the Archbishop.

Prior to the visit the Very Revd Keith Jones, Dean of York said: “Last year nearly 45,000 pupils and staff were booked through the Centre for School Visits to York Minster, and nearly 12,000 of these were taught through the Centre. So I am delighted that the Archbishop will see and enjoy for himself this important part of the Minster's work with young people. I wouldn’t be surprised if he joins in with them!”

The Most Revd and Rt Hon Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York said: “I am looking forward to joining the pupils of Tockwith Primary School on their visit to York Minster school visitor centre. I hope that this provides a great opportunity for the children to be more actively involved in the Church and to learn more about the wonderful building that is York Minster”.

After his visit...

...the Archbishop of York said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my time with children from across York at York Minster’s Centre for School Visits. It was good to see the children enjoying their learning, particularly about a place which is part of both their heritage, present and future. For me Christianity is a faith of prayer and parties, so it was good to see the children laughing and learning as they dressed up in clerical vestments – as a vicar, a priest and a bishop - and learnt more about the Minster as a place of living worship.”