The Spurriergate Centre was opened in 1989 as a Christian Centre offering refreshment and a listening ear to the many people who live, work in or visit York.

It is named after the original church building it now occupies - St Michael’s Spurriergate. The name Spurriergate refers to the tradesmen who occupied this street in the 15th Century - the spurmakers.

There has been a church on this site since the time of the Norman Conquest, and the building has seen many changes in its long history. The oldest parts of the building are the slender pillars holding up the roof dating from the 12th Century.

The building has also seen a number of structural changes including the foreshortening of the building when the East wall was rebuilt in 1821. This work was done to widen the street and resulted in the half arch that can be seen near the main entrance to the Centre.

The tower was lowered in the 1960’s and the Centre still houses a full set of bells which are rung frequently.

The Centre has an excellent collection of 15th Century Stained glass which was restored after its safe storage through the 2nd World War by Dean of the Minster, Revd Dr Eric Milner-White.

The Centre is one of the only cafes in York with its own clock.  The clock was installed in 1896 by Neweys of York and still keeps great time over 100 years later.