Saint Wilfrid's parish was revived by York Catholics in 1742 when they established their Mission in Little Blake Street.

The Mission was founded by the Vicar Apostolic of the Northern District of England, Edward Dicconson.

At this time there were still strong anti-Catholic feelings, so the chapel was hidden from the street by its presbytery.

The chapel could hold 700 people and the Catholic population continued to increase in York.

The original site of the church was on land now occupied by the Judges Lodgings in Lendal and part of the Assembly Rooms behind in Blake Street.

The funds, however, were diverted to build a much needed church in the Walmgate area for the large number of Irish Catholics who settled there during the Great Famine.

Saint George's Church was built and it became the Pro-Cathedral of the Catholic diocese of Beverley.

This prompted Dean Duncombe to apply to the corporation to continue the route by the chapel and towards the Minster.

The houses on the opposite side to the chapel were demolished and the road widened to create Duncombe Place, named after the Dean.

It was considered to be "one of the most perfectly finished Catholic Churches in England, rich in sculpture, stained glass and fittings".

[5] Part of the porch way, believed to belong to the original Saint Wilfrid's Church, was found under the floor of the Assembly Rooms during the 19th century renovations.

The chime was cast at the foundry of Gillett & Johnston in Croydon, and installed at Saint John's Church in Thornham.

They were made in 1948 by Wilfrid Dowson, from Kirkbymoorside, who was responsible for some work at York Minster, as well as the Queen's Gates at Saint George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.

The Oratory offers four choral scholarships through the University of York to both undergraduate and postgraduate female and male students: sopranos, altos, tenors and basses to form a quartet.