The site of the street lay within the
city walls of Roman
Eboracum, and Roman goods have been found under the soil. Remains of Mediaeval buildings have also been found. The street was first recorded in 1276, as "venella Sancti Benedicti". By 1329, it was known as "
Grapcunt Lane", believed to be in reference to prostitution in the area. St Benedict's Church, on the street, was built in 1154, but had been demolished by 1300. Its site was later given to the
Vicars Choral of
York Minster, and the site became known as "Benet's Rents". The Grape Lane chapel was constructed in 1781 for the
Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion. It was sold to the
Methodist New Connexion in 1799, let to the Wesleyan Methodists in 1804, and then sold to a Calvinistic Baptist group in 1806, and on to the
Primitive Methodists in 1820. Later serving as a furniture store, it survived until 1963, when it was demolished. Also in 1963, the Petergate end of the street was widened when 59 Low Petergate was demolished. ==Layout and architecture==