St. Bede's Pastoral Centre

What we provide

A warm welcome is extended to people of all faiths and none. The Centre is situated five minutes on foot from York rail and bus station, and aims to provide a place of quiet refreshment, spiritual replenishment and support. St Bede’s Pastoral Centre was opened in 1987 when a small community of Benedictines from Ampleforth Abbey leased the property from the CJ (Congregation of Jesus), formerly the IBVM community. The CJ and its advisors, with the support and encouragement of Bishop John Crowley of Middlesbrough, took the desire and decision to have a Pastoral Centre. In 1994 the Benedictines withdrew in order to take on other work in Yorkshire but during their seven years they had established St Bede’s as a place of welcome, friendly hospitality and spiritual support for all who came. On their departure, the support of the ‘Friends of St Bede’s’ encouraged the CJ to continue this work under their own administration. Today St Bede’s serves not only the people of York city but far beyond. To the Benedictine ethos of Christian hospitality and acceptance of all people the CJ has added its own knowledge and practice of the spirituality of St. Ignatius Loyola and his teachings on prayer enshrined in his Spiritual Exercises.

The main work of the centre is to run regular programmes of spirituality. The aim of this is twofold: firstly, to provide talks, workshops and quiet days run by a wide variety of speakers from different denominations and faiths; secondly to foster Ignatian spirituality through occasional retreats, spiritual direction and courses for all who are interested. Alongside this we provide rooms for local and national groups to meet to run their own training courses or workshops. There are also smaller rooms for individual use by counsellors and spiritual directors.

Currently open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9am-5pm and Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6.30-9.30pm.  Check times with the website. 

Costs vary, but day events cost £15.00