THIS WEEK and next week the Evening Press is taking a look at some of York's lost historic places of worship.

One such is Salem Congregational Church, built at the junction of Spen Lane and St Saviourgate, in 1839, at a cost of £5,000, to accommodate the large congregation gathered by York minister James Parsons.

But dwindling congregations resulted in its closure in 1934, after which it was used as a storage space for Rowntree's. It was demolished in 1963 and replaced by office blocks.

Aldwark Synagogue existed from 1885 until its closure in 1975 because of the fall in York's Jewish population.

St George's Church, in Fulford Road, the old military church, was built in 1795 and closed in 1972. It was used by York police as storage space but was demolished last year.

St Mary's Church, Bishophill, thought to have been built in

the 12th century, was revamped in 1659, but by 1949 was in disrepair and was demolished in 1963. James Street Methodist Chapel, built in the mid-1800s, was famous for its award-winning choir. It closed in 1969, again hit by dwindling congregations.

St Maurice's Church, on the corner of Lord Mayor's Walk and Monkgate, was demolished in 1967.

The organ was re-homed at St John's College Chapel.

Updated: 12:20 Friday, June 14, 2002