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The Prince-Bishops of Durham ruled Howdenshire from the Norman Conquest to the Reformation. They raised a palace in Howden fit to receive cardinals and kings. In the 13th century they replaced Howden’s already ancient parish church with a new gothic minster church to reflect their power and status. Masons were brought north from Notre Dame de Paris via Westminster Abbey to create the iconic building we see today. Howden Minster was served by six canons and their vicars choral. Medieval Howden was graced by the chronicler Roger of Howden and St John of Howden (feast day, 2nd May), a noted poet in Latin and Norman French.

The North bitterly opposed Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries; in 1536 Howden Minster became the centre of the Pilgrimage of Grace, the most serious catholic rebellion of Henry’s reign. The leader was Robert Aske, a Howdenshire lawyer. Our Processional Cross became the rebel banner; if anyone knows where it is, we would like it back. But King Henry managed to outwit Aske and his followers so that within 12 years Howden Minster had lost all its endowments and its glory days were over.

Slow centuries of decline followed with the palace, chancel, and chapter house falling into ruin. The Parliamentary troops, who broke up the organ and used the pipes as whistles on the way to attack Wressle Castle, hardly helped. The Victorians took action to stop the rot. Howdenshire was taken back into Yorkshire and the diocese of York; a new parsonage was built over the palace ruins to provide accommodation for the first resident minister for centuries.

The nave, central tower and transepts serve as the parish church for modern Howden and surrounding villages with the east end ruinous and in the guardianship of English Heritage. We began a major restoration and appeal in 2006.

We aim to be a welcoming parish church serving the needs of all the local community while occasionally fulfilling a wider East Riding role supporting education and the arts. We are striving to play our part of the regeneration of Howdenshire.

Worship regularly uses BCP and Common Worship. The Minster Musicians are led by our Director of Music and Organist, Matthew Collins, and include an RSCM affiliated robed choir and the Minster Consort, a range of instrumentalists of all ages.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday & today & for ever." Hebrews 13:8

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