Guild of Ss Anne & Agnes

A fellowship of prayer, friendship and charity at St Lawrence, York

The Guild of St Anne and St Agnes is a fellowship for people who wish to remain connected with St Lawrence Church, York, through prayer, friendship and charitable giving.

The Guild has its roots in the medieval life of St Lawrence. An ancient fraternity existed here for many generations, and surviving records and bequests show that people were giving to the Guild between 1404 and 1508. Their gifts helped to support worship in the church, maintain lights and altars, provide for those in need, and strengthen the fellowship of the parish.

In 2026, on the feast of St Agnes, we have revived this ancient Guild in remembrance of those who belonged to it before us. Its purpose remains wonderfully simple: to encourage prayer, charity and fellowship, and to keep alive the connection between St Lawrence and all those who have been part of its worshipping life.

A Guild for today

Membership is open to anyone who wishes to support the life and mission of St Lawrence. You do not need to live locally or attend every Sunday. The Guild is particularly intended to provide a continuing connection with St Lawrence for those whose lives have taken them elsewhere.

Members are invited to pray for one another, for the church and its work, and for those who have gone before us. We also remember the many benefactors and parishioners whose generosity has helped sustain St Lawrence through the centuries.

The Guild also has a charitable purpose working towards helping establish a fund from which a musical foundation can be supported for future generations.  

Each year, members are invited to gather for the Feast of St Anne or St Agnes, for prayer, remembrance and a shared meal. It is an opportunity to meet old friends, welcome new members and strengthen our connection with one another and with St Lawrence.

Join the Guild

Membership costs £25 per year.

By becoming a member, you become part of a fellowship that reaches back to the medieval history of St Lawrence and forward to its future. Your membership helps to sustain this tradition of prayer, friendship and charity, while keeping alive the connection between St Lawrence and its wider family.

We warmly welcome anyone who would like to join us.

“To preserve fellowship among its members, and to provide a means of reunion and spiritual connection for those whose lives carry them elsewhere in the country and throughout the world, now and for generations yet to come.”