Here are some of the special services and other events which take place throughout the year.
JANUARY / FEBRUARY: Jane Stainton sermon
In the late 17th century, Mrs Jane Stainton bequeathed a legacy to the Company of Merchant Adventurers, and the Church of All Saints, Pavement, to secure the preaching of a sermon on the anniversary of the beheading of King Charles I.
The Company and the Church have upheld this wish on the Sunday nearest to 30th January each year.
FEBRUARY / MARCH: Ash Wednesday
Lent begins with a traditional Book of Common Prayer service of Morning Prayer, Litany, and Commination.
MARCH: Commemorative Service for Captain Oates
On a Sunday near to 17th March (St Patrick’s Day), we are joined by The Royal Dragoon Guards Regimental Association to commemorate Captain Lawrence Oates, who died on that day in 1912, during the return of the Terra Nova Expedition from the South Pole.
MARCH / APRIL: Services in Holy Week
In advance of Easter Day, we gather successively each weekday evening with our neighbouring congregations from the York City Centre Churches in each of the parish churches. At All Saints Pavement, a sung Eucharist usually takes place on Tuesday evening, and a service of Mattins and the Litany takes place on Good Friday.
MAY: Beating the bounds
Prior to Ascension Day, on Rogation Sunday, members of the congregation walk the boundaries of the parish – the traditional ‘beating the bounds‘.
Taking approximately 90 minutes, and covering a distance of approximately 2.5 miles, the route takes us via the church buildings of the parish.
On Ascension Day itself, we gather for a service of Sung Eucharist.
APRIL / MAY / AUGUST: Organ Recitals
The church hosts an Organ Recital (which forms part of the York Organ Concerts series organised by the York and District Organists’ Association) on Easter Monday, the May Day Bank Holiday Monday, and the Lat Summer Bank Holiday Monday.
A varied programme of pieces complements the beautiful surroundings, and demonstrates the prowess of the ‘King of Instruments’.
MAY / JUNE: Trinity Sunday at Holy Trinity, Goodramgate
On Trinity Sunday each year, we hold our Evensong in the beautiful surroundings of Holy Trinity, Goodramgate, which is looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust.
JUNE: John Straker Charter Day Service
In late June, we are joined by The Company of Merchant Taylors of the City of York for their Charter Day Service.
JUNE: Armed Forces Sunday
At our Sunday morning service immediately following Armed Forces Day, we are joined by members of the Royal British Legion, the Royal Air Forces Association, and the Royal Signals Association.
SEPTEMBER: Accession of His Majesty King Charles III
On the eve of, or on the day of, the anniversary of the King’s accession, we gather for a service of Evensong.
SEPTEMBER to NOVEMBER: Evensong Talks
The 2025 series of Evensong talks ran through October and November on Heretics and Heresies.
OCTOBER: Trafalgar Day service
On the Sunday nearest to 21st October, we are joined by the York branches of the Royal Naval Association and the Royal Marines Association for the annual Trafalgar Day service.
NOVEMBER: All Saints Day
On 1st November, our congregation meets together in an act of worship, reflecting on the virtuous and godly living of the Saints.
NOVEMBER: Remembrance Sunday
On the Sunday nearest to 11th November (Armistice Day), we gather to remember those fallen in service of our country.
DECEMBER: Carol Services
In Advent, we host 3 Festivals of Nine Lessons and Carols on weekdays evenings, followed by Saturday morning carol singing in the ‘pocket park’ next to the Church, and the Parish Carol Service.