Frequently Asked Questions

FROM DISSENTERS TO FIRE ENGINES

Why did you write this book?

Victoria Bar Chapel, York. Now converted into flats

During the research of Romans, Vikings, Churches and Chocolate, I discovered that besides a lot of medieval churches, York had many churches that were much younger – built in Georgian and Victorian times. There was one book in existence about these churches, but it didn’t describe all of them and still had the medieval churches in it as well. So after my first book was finished I decided that my next book would be about these younger churches.

How long did it take?

For this book I was on a very tight deadline, as I was moving back to the Netherlands and had to finish it before I left. I did the research and writing simultaneously, starting in December 2007 and finishing at the end of May 2008. The book was published three-and-a-half months later, three weeks before I left York.

St Columba's Church with tower

Did you visit all the churches?

Yes, I tried to get inside all the churches, which wasn’t easy as some were now in private use. The most fun was visiting the fire station, formerly Trinity Chapel, where the station commander showed me round. The only church I couldn’t get into was Victoria Bar Chapel, as it had been converted into private flats. 

What was the most interesting thing you found out?

Present-day St Columba's Church

The old picture of St Columba’s Church with tower was the most interesting thing I discovered. During my research several people had told me that church used to have a tower, but an equal number of people told me the tower had been designed, but never built. Rooting through the church records I was excited to find an old brochure from 1929 that had a picture of the church and its tower on the front.

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Curious about more answers to frequently asked questions? Visit my book pages. Or why not read the first chapter of my latest book Times Zones, Containers and Three Square Meals a Day.