The condition of the building was poor by 1882[5] and regular worship was suspended for over 50 years until 1937 when restoration work was completed.

In 2018, a blue plaque was unveiled outside of the church to mark the occasion when Anne Lister and her partner, Ann Walker, took Holy Communion together at the church at Easter 1834 as an affirmation of their lesbian relationship, thereafter considering themselves married; it was York's first LGBT history plaque.

Celebrated marital commitment, without legal recognition, to Ann Walker in this church.

[8] The wording was criticised for not mentioning Lister's sexuality,[9] and in 2019 it was replaced with a similar rainbow plaque with the wording "Anne Lister 1791–1840 of Shibden Hall, Halifax / Lesbian and Diarist; took sacrament here to seal her union with Ann Walker / Easter 1834".

[10][11] The ceremony was recreated on location in the church for the series finale of the 2019 BBC dramatisation of the life of Anne Lister, Gentleman Jack starring Suranne Jones and Sophie Rundle as Lister and Walker respectively.