Mass times this week
Regular weekly timetable
Mon
- 09:00
Tue
- 09:00
Wed
- 09:00
Thu
- 09:00
Fri
- 09:00
- 19:00
Sat
- 09:00
Sun
- 09:30
Services with timing to confirm
These source labels need parish confirmation before they can be placed on a date.
See Mass times at the other church in Ampleforth →
Parish schedules can change on holy days of obligation.
We do not hold the page these times were published on, so we cannot show you when they were last confirmed. Mass times may change; check with the parish before travelling.
About Abbey of St. Laurence (Ampleforth Abbey)
Abbey of St. Laurence (Ampleforth Abbey) is a Roman Catholic church in Ampleforth, North Yorkshire. It is part of the Diocese of Middlesbrough.
Introduction
The Abbey of Saint Laurence in Ampleforth, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, was constructed in two distinct phases between 1922 and 1961.
History
The Victorian portion of the church was taken down in 1957. The later roofs of the church are constructed with steel trusses, with domes and vaulting formed from plaster sprayed onto steel mesh. The High Altar reredos, a free-standing gothic archway carved from Blue Hornton stone, was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and built in 1925 with carving by W.D. Gough.
Architecture and furnishings
The plan is roughly a Greek cross, featuring a central sanctuary beneath the crossing tower, a retrochoir to the west, and the nave to the east. External walls are faced with scrunch-tooled limestone in random courses, using Bramley Fall stone for the early phase and Dunhouse stone for the later phase. The roof structure and dome of the earlier phase are made of mass concrete, while later phase domes and vaults consist of plaster sprayed onto steel mesh. Stained glass windows designed by Patrick Reyntiens are particularly prominent in the Lady Chapel. A medieval altar stone from Byland Abbey is located in the chapel to Saint Benet. The church holds a bell cast in 1658, which is the smaller of the two housed in the belfry. The north transept houses the main part of the organ.
Parish life
The abbey maintains a traditional commitment to pastoral ministry and hospitality. Monks serve as chaplains in schools and parishes, while also participating in the hospitality apostolate through retreats and courses. Tailored retreats are provided for university Catholic societies, with previous hosts including Sheffield, Lancaster, Hull, Sunderland, Leeds, York, Nottingham, Durham and Keele. Groups of all faiths and none are welcomed, having previously accommodated spiritual organisations, charities, yoga groups, and parishes. A range of dormitory and en-suite accommodation is available for groups. Orchard Volunteers lead tours and support seasonal activities in one of the largest commercial orchards in the North of England. Tour Volunteers lead tours of the Abbey Church for individuals and groups. Event Volunteers help ensure the smooth running of concerts, art exhibitions, and sporting events hosted by the abbey.
Notable people and events
The oak fittings in the choir were made by Robert Thompson, known as the Mouseman of Kilburn. The stained glass includes a series of windows by Patrick Reyntiens, a former Ampleforth student.
Visiting
The estate covers over 1,200 acres of parkland, woodland and lakeside walks in the Howardian Hills. Admission to the Grounds, Visitor Centre and Abbey Church is free of charge. Visitors can enjoy an Orchard tour and tasting. The flower beds and Memorial gardens surrounding the Abbey are tended to by the monastic community.
Sources for this profile
- The Abbey Church, Ampleforth - 1315767 | Historic EnglandRetrieved 6 October 2026 Source text © Historic England, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summarised by RomanCatholic.co.uk.
- Our History | Ampleforth AbbeyRetrieved 6 October 2026
- University Students and Young Adults | Ampleforth AbbeyRetrieved 6 October 2026
- All Other Groups | Ampleforth AbbeyRetrieved 6 October 2026
- Volunteer with us | Ampleforth AbbeyRetrieved 6 October 2026
- Ampleforth Abbey Grounds | Ampleforth AbbeyRetrieved 6 October 2026
- Plan a Visit | Ampleforth AbbeyRetrieved 29 September 2026
- Group Visits | Ampleforth AbbeyRetrieved 6 October 2026
Find Abbey of St. Laurence (Ampleforth Abbey)
Map location for Abbey of St. Laurence (Ampleforth Abbey)
Ampleforth North Yorks, Ampleforth, North Yorkshire, YO62 4EN