Howden Minster

Howden Minster, East Riding of Yorkshire, England.

Howden Minster is a large church for the Church of England, and is in the Diocese of York. It is one of the largest and most magnificent churches in the East Riding of Yorkshire. It is dedicated to St Peter.

History

Howden Minster was owned by monks from Peterborough Abbey in Saxon times, but in 1080 it was gifted to William of Calais (Bishop of Durham). Although dependant on Durham, the minster was in the Diocese of York. Rebuilding the Norman church in the Early English style seems to have been begun in 1228. It became a Collegiate Church in 1267. Rebuilding work was completed in the Decorated style around 1340. A small octagonal Chapter House was built after 1388, the last of its kind to be built in England. The church survived the Dissolution of the Monasteries as it was not a monastery, but fell victim to the Dissolution of Collegiate Churches and Chantries in 1548.

Although the minster was not destroyed in the Dissolution, the choir or chancel was allowed to fall into ruin, and only the nave was used for services. The roof eventually fell in in 1696, and the chapter house roof collapsed in 1750. The ruins are now preserved by the Department of the Environment, and are in the condition of a 'safe ruin'. The chapter house received a new roof in 1984.

St John of Howden

John was one of the earliest Canons of Howden, and was a man of outstanding holiness and humility. He was responsible for the rebuilding of the choir of the minster. He died in 1275 and was buried in a shrine in the choir. The tomb survived until the 16th century. His feast day is the 2nd May.

References

• Keeton, Revd. Canon Barry (2000) Howden Minster, A Guide Book.