News & Events

new organ

Posted 21st October, 2020

The PCC and congregation would like to thank David Brown for his kind donation of a beautiful electric organ, a much more advanced model than the one we had. We greatly appreciate the clarity of tone.

first service since lockdown

Thank you to Father Dominic for taking our first service since lockdown on Sunday 20th September. It was super to see so many of our congregation return, meet Father Dominic, hear our superb choir sing and take communion together.

Diocese of York Come and See Mission
Walking the Labyrinth

Thursday 12th and Friday 13th March – 11am – 2pm
Saturday 14th March – 11am – 3pm

Walking the Labyrinth is an invitation to participate in the spiritual experience of walking into the Labyrinth, into the deeper experience of reflection and prayer and being mindful of God.

There will be prayer resources to guide participants, but it is open to individuals to choose how and what they reflect on. Individuals might choose to walk with Jesus in mind, for instance, or to reflect prayerfully on situations in their own lives. The Labyrinth is designed to allow participants to forget for a few moments the busyness of life as they approach the centre of the Labyrinth deep in reflection. Once they have reached the centre which represents the centre point of the reflective experience, participants turn round and prepare to leave the Labyrinth and to rejoin the everyday world. For individuals who are unable to walk the Labyrinth or choose not to, there will be finger labyrinths available if they so wish to use them.

st Mary's is delighted to have been awarded a churchcare/pilgrim trust grant

6th February 2020

St Mary’s is delighted to have been awarded a ChurchCare/Pilgrim Trust grant of up to £1,200 towards the cost of a conservation report on our monuments.

We have over 30 monuments, not including floor ledger slabs, dating back to 1525 and representing major figures Hull’s history, including this wonderful Dobson monument dated 1666 (shown). Dobson was a Royalist and the monument depicts him wearing his ‘Citizen’s Gown’ and mayoral chain – he was twice mayor and one time sheriff of Hull.

The survey was due to take place in March, but had to be postponed due to the coronavirus lockdown and will now take place in early July.

We would like to thank the Church Buildings Council for its support.

If you would like to see St Mary’s monuments please do visit us. Currently we are closed due to the coronavirus crisis, but hope to re-open as usual 11am to 2pm on Thursdays and Fridays (and summer Saturdays) as soon as possible.
A guide to our monuments and windows is available.

Judith Shirley Preston Andrews
1939-2019

It is with deepest regret that we announce the passing of our dear friend and colleague Judith. Our prayers, thoughts and condolences are with her children Simon and Sarah and the rest of her family and friends at this extremely sad time.

Judith was born in Hull and was proud of her Yorkshire roots. She was educated at Newland High School for Girls before training as a teacher in Lincoln. Shje had a successful career and was headteacher of a number of primary schools.

Judith first came to St Mary's in her teens and eventually served two terms as Church Warden, a position which she held at the time of her passing.

Judith was active within the diocese and served on various committees over the years. Her contributions were always listened to, even if they were not always appreciated. Judith was not afraid to speak her mind!

Judith was a fount of knowledge about the history of St Mary's and would spend a great deal of time talking to visitors about it.

In her younger days, Judith was sporty and was a good swimmer and tennis player. She was also a gregarious person and something of a rebel. She always knew where she was aiming and went for it.

Her love of sport continued in to her later life and she was a season ticket at both Yorkshire Cricket Club and North Ferriby United AFC. She also followed the fortunes of other local sports teams.

In addition, a number of organisations, both lay and church-based benefitted from her involvement. Those organisations, including St Mary's, will miss her input.

Her death will reunite her with her beloved husband Raymond.

Presentation of £675 cheque from the "Keep your gansey dry" concert

Angela Burkitt has made a photographic record of the carvings at St Mary's, including the pew ends - here is a 'taster'.

Concert for Hull Homeless Outreach and St Mary's
Friday 29 January

Hull Community Voices Saturday 12 December 2015

An Advent Calendar
2015
St Mary’s Lowgate.
The City Cloister
‘Lighting a daily candle against the darkness’
November:
Saturday 28th; Victorian Christmas Market: 10.am–Old Town

Hull Community Voices with Ali Bullivent and ‘Music Bus’: for St Mary's Restoration Fund; Tickets £5 Start: 7.30pm

Sunday 29th; Advent Sunday; Sung Eucharist with Litany; 11.00 am: theme, ‘Being Church in City’
A shared Advent Carol Service; 6.30 at Holy Trinity Church.

The Advent Collect
‘Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light, now and in the time of this mortal life, in which they Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious Majesty, to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen’

December:
Tuesday 1st; Soup. Sandwiches and Silence; 12.30-1.30pm
Thursday 3rd; Midday Prayer; 12.30pm
Friday 4th; Holy Communion; 12.30pm
Sunday 6th; Advent II; Sung Eucharist; 11.00 am; Guest Preacher, Andy Paxton, ‘Church and Culture ’
Sung Evensong; 6.30pm (BCP)
Tuesday 8th; Soup, Sandwiches and Silence; 12.30-1.30pm
Discussion group, ‘Church and the Culture of Vulnerability; part 1’; 7.0pm –Vicarage
Thursday 10th; Midday Prayer; 12.30pm
Friday 11th; Holy Communion; 12.30pm
Saturday 12th; Hull Community Voices; anything from 150-250 voices! All can join in; 6.30-8.30pm
Sunday 13th; Advent III; Sung Eucharist; 11.00am; Guest Preacher, Shaun Turner, ‘Church and Culture’.
Sung Evensong, (BCP), 6.30pm
Christmas Performance; ‘Project Strings’, Hull University. 7.30pm
Tuesday 15th; ‘Soup, Sandwiches and Silence’; 12.30-1.30pm
Visit by Gillshill Primary school; 2.0pm
Discussion Group; ‘Church and the Culture of Vulnerability; part 2’; 7.0pm- Vicarage
Wednesday 16th; Visit by Gillshill Primary School; 2.0pm
Thursday 17th; Midday Prayer; 12.30pm
Friday 18th; Holy Communion; 12.30pm
Sunday 20th; Advent IV; Sung Eucharist; 11.00am; theme, ‘Saving the best ‘til last’.
Tuesday 22nd; ‘Soup, Sandwiches and Silence’ 12.30-1.30pm

Thursday 24th; Christmas Eve; Midday Prayer; 12.30pm
Midnight Mass of the Nativity; 11.15pm

The Christmas Day Collect
‘Almighty God, who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and at this time to be born of a pure Virgin; Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.’

Friday 25th; Christmas Day; Holy Communion; 10.00am
Sunday 27th; John, Apostle and Evangelist, Sung Eucharist 11.am
Nine Lessons and Carols; 3.0pm
…………….
For the New Year Ahead
May the Lord Bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face upon you
And be gracious unto you;
The Lord light up the light of his countenance upon you
And give you his peace

St. Mary the Virgin, Lowgate
Kingston Upon Hull
www.stmaryslowgate.org.uk

Warmly invite you for:
Soup, Sandwiches and

The `silent carriage’ in life

Each Tuesday in December
12.30 noon – 1.30pm

A time for personal reflection and `Digital Detox’

`Project Strings' performed at St Mary's on Sunday 25 October 2015.
A wonderful experience!

It's good to be thanked but helping groups in the local community is what St Mary's is about!

Marriage of Mr and Mrs Juggins - Saturday 17 October 2015

`Hull International Photography Exhibition, October 2015'
St Mary's was one of a number of venues for this prestigious exhibition.

Hull Harvest Feastival on Saturday 10 October 2015. St. Mary's was one venue where food donations were stored.

Sunday18 October 2015
It was a great joy for us to welcome The Right Reverend Alison White for a very beautiful Choral Evensong. We are assured that she too was very pleased to have met us. We look forward to working with her in the future. We keep her and her family in our prayers.

Bishop Alison

Bishop Alison and Father Paul

St. Mary the Virgin,
Lowgate
Kingston upon Hull

City Cloister.
For exhibitions in camera
For performances in chamber
For prayer in choir

Rich Sharp Wilson24 September at 15:22 A short article about St. Mary's Church and their long history of reaching out a helping hand to the most destitute of our city.http://wsohull.weebly.com/st-marys-church-a-history-of-helping-the-destitute.html

Wedding of Mr & Mrs Newell 11 July 2015

CURRENT NEWS & EVENTS

31 July and 01 August 2015 - Make It Prompt Theatre Company performed a wonderful show `Two', written by Jim Cartwright. Benedict Pearman and Amber Devine superbly playing a variety of roles, and professionally Directed by Tim Bettridge. Joshua was Sound and Light Technician and Anna was Stage Manager, both professional in their roles.

You can see past news and events on our Facebook Page. We are always looking for new ideas for events celebrating creativity and/or spirituality. The church is a prestigious and welcoming venue. Please feel free Exciting plans for the future at St Mary's Lowgate to contact us with your ideas.

28 July 2015 Darren and Shairalee Hampshire wonderfully renewed their marriage vows after 25 years.

Published courtesy of Yorkshire Post

`Isaiah 61' - faith, hope and love. July 2015

Graciana Presicci at St Mary's, July 2015

Claude Bourbon at St Mary's in June 2015

The Homeless Jesus Sculpture
St mary's, Lowgate are looking for a sponsor/patron to commission the "Homeless Jesus" . It would be a stunning and meaningful installation to mark the 2017 Hull City of Culture.
For further information contact
Father Paul Burkitt on 01482 218879, or email: info@stmaryslowgate.org.uk or paul@angela75.karoo.co.uk

Claude Bourbon Concert
World renowned guitarist Claude Bourbon will perform at St Mary's on Saturday 20 June at 7.30pm. Tickets £10/£8. Pay on the night. Claude played at St Mary's last year and he enjoyed the atmosphere and acoustics so much that he requested the chance to return for another concert. This is a rare opportunity to listen and talk with a world-class guitarist.
A Masterclass with Claude is available on Saturday afternoon.
Contact Rev Paul Burkitt on 01482 218879 for details of masterclass and concert tickets
http://l.facebook.com/l/0AQGGRD6eAQEArJ3J-ASQsKvAhW8mpsNG8KP4CMIIVZbtfQ/www.claudebourbon.org

The promotional video for the Friends of St Mary's can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7mczlgu7A8

On the joyful occasion of Holy Baptism of Andrew and Bobby James Thompson, Sunday 10 May 2015. Followed by chocolate cake enjoyed by all thanks to Olga.

TIME & Place Art Exhibition ; May 2015

Estuary TV's news item about St Mary's
Estuary TV recently made a recording at St Mary's. An edited version that was broadcast on 3rd March can be viewed here
http://youtu.be/EN2J_MU7fCk?t=10m36s

From the Hull Daily Mail, Friday 27 Feb 2015

Art Safari exhibition – St Mary’s begins – 17 March for four weeks.

ART SAFARI has been a 10 part, fortnightly, exploration of art that combines creative play with gallery visits, artists talks, a walking tour and sketchbook working. Based in Hull, the programme invited participants to explore new spaces, join in with practical sessions and ask questions. The course actively embraced the Five Ways to Health and Wellbeing (New Economics Foundation) as well as providing a space to experiment and learn new skills alongside developing original artworks. The project has been funded by Hull County Council and facilitated with the help of Timebank, Hull.

Here are some of the quotes expressed so far:

‘It’s ideal for me. It’s experimental so your ideas can just fly’ Heather Freckleton

'It's very good...an inspiration' Maria Magoula

'I just wanted to thank you very much for yesterdays session...I found the session quite profound in many ways, including personally.' Lesley McCallion

"On Ash Wednesday, 18th February, we were joined by the University of Hull Chapel Choir, with their Director, Simon Desbruslais. As part of the Eucharist and the service of the Imposition of Ashes, the choir sang Allegri's 'Miserere' A stunning piece, stunningly performed. The choir also sang Gibbons', 'Drop, drop Slow Tears' after the receiving of communion. We were greatly enriched by this in our act of worship. The choir enjoyed the natural beauty and acoustic brilliance of the church, and seek to come again soon, maybe for a Choral Evensong. Certainly a bond has been made. Thank you again to Simon and the Chapel Choir.

Meanwhile, to demonstrate the absolute breadth of the work at St Mary's, at the same time forty five people had just been fed at the soup-kitchen in the church yard. Prayers for them."

The accompanying article is from The Hull Daily Mail of 13 February 2015.

Please share news of St Mary's fundraising appeal with your friends and family.
With your help, St Mary's can become a lively and vibrant part of the local community

St Mary the Virgin, Lowgate and Hull FC.
Did you know there was a link between St Mary's and Hull FC? One of the three Rev John Scotts, that's right, the same three that the pub is named after, was instrumental in the formation of Hull FC.
Rev Paul Burkitt recently gave an interview on the subject to the BBC. It can be heard here:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-31145342.

Our new Recognised Parish Assistants
"On February 1st we were able to commission April Heywood and Philip Withers as Recognised Pastoral Assistants. They have completed a course designed for the Diocese. We are very grateful to them both for staying with the course and look forward with working with them. The harvest is ripe but the labours are few, but two more are now going into the fields!"

Photo l to r: Philip, April and Rev Paul Burkitt

St Mary's & Hull Homeless Outreach Limited
`St. Mary's has recently been blessed with the opportunity of giving hospitality to the group `Hull Homeless Outreach Limited'. They are a very lively and committed group of people who are providing a `soup kitchen' twice a week and a `food bank' once a week. Donations of food and clothing will always be welcome because, `we can only give away what has been given to us'. Thanks to everybody for their interest and involvement. Just a note, on the first three nights of the soup kitchen around 100 people were fed and listened to.

Poem and copyright by Kett Sable

Lord Mayor visits St Mary's
It was a great pleasure to welcome the Lord Mayor and her Consort on Thursday 06 November 2014. She spoke very highly of St. Mary's and its unique atmosphere and display of 700 years of our City's heritage. Cllr Glew moved amongst our visitors and church members, and remained impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm of those she met. Cllr Glew was able to see what `A Hidden Gem' St. Mary's is. She will be taking part in the Remembrance Service for those lost on our roads on Sunday 16th November 2014 at 2.30pm. She will also open `2015 Our Year to Prepare' on January 11th 2015, as well as launch the `Friends' of St. Mary's at our morning 11.00am service. So impressed was she, that Cllr Glew will incorporate St. Mary's in her varied programme of events as well as dedicate a memorial plaque to a famous person connected to the parish, yet to be decided upon. She also intends to encourage the Chief Executive 2017 Year of Culture, to give St. Mary's a high profile in her planning. Our thanks go to Cllr Glew for her support and I am sure her prayers.

Lest we forget to Remember.
The ‘inglorious dead’.

This is the time of the year when the churches pay special attention to those who have died. Prayers are said for the continual rest of the departed one, as well as fully acknowledging his or her life.

One way of showing our respects to our friends and relatives after death, is to mark the place of their burial. Some years ago (2000-2002) the people of St Mary’s became very conscious that so many people in our City had died and were buried, but no-one could afford a headstone, or fitting memorial.

In conjunction with a poverty action group (ATD-4th World), a large memorial was set up in ‘Memory of all those who lie in unmarked graves’. This is in Northern Cemetery, and was unveiled by our former Bishop, Richard Frith, 2002. From cholera victims, to the war dead, to the lonely pensioner, to the still born.

For many, many years and sadly still today, graves have been left unmarked, through financial compromise, through poverty. It is the work of every culture to honour and revere the dead, to acknowledge the past glories and discoveries, to value a loved one.

The sign of a living caring culture is that all who have died, perhaps unknown to anyone, is valued. The Stone in Northern is a place to go and sit and wonder, a place to set flowers.

In St.Mary’s, Lowgate there is also a Book of Remembrance. We set out an appeal around 2000, for people to add names of any relatives or friends they knew of. That book is kept safe alongside the memory.

The book might need bringing up to date, so should you want to add a name then please make contact with The Reverend Paul Burkitt, 218879, or through the web-site, www.stmaryslowgate.org

It is so important that we don’t forget those who were at one time forgotten.

All enquiries will be treated in complete confidence.

There are those who have lived

RESTORATION APPEAL

At a recent fundraising meeting, it was agreed to start
a 'Restoration Appeal' and to call it 'AD 2015-Our Year to Prepare'.
We welcome ideas as how to how we might be imaginative in this.We are also to begin the process of estabishing a 'Friends of St. Mary's'
Meanwhile, we await the final ground survey. We then have to have a quantity surveyor who will tell how much it might all cost. Then, we shall know how much we shall need! Then, I hope we have some friends left!.

Our visit to Sharow

Visit to Sharrow Church
Our visit to Sharrow Church on Saturday 20th September 2014 was very exciting. Our aim was to look around a church which had been recently restored.

We began the day with a Eucharist, using the nave altar. This was new for us, sitting on chairs and receiving communion stood up!

We shared lunch and Rev Linda Boon talked us through this journey of restoration. Issues of fundraising, disruption, and planning all came up. Ken Bradley showed us some slides of the whole process.

Our thanks to the people there especially Rev Linda, Ken and Shirley.

It was a very helpful day, and food for thought as we continue our part of the journey.

News from the Recent PCC:
Inevitably we had to review our finances, and it means the famous ‘belt-tightening’. House Keeping requires prudent budgeting. Our everyday expenses can only be paid from our weekly giving. Well, we need at least £80 per week. Each of us has to review how we give.
The weekly pew leaflet is sadly under threat because of printing costs. Again donations, directly gift aided to ‘printing’ , would go a long way to keeping this valuable little publication.
This week (w/c 1 Sep)the ORGAN is being assessed. The findings will determine its fate.

Homlessness.
As part of our way of working as “Church” , the social responsibility group is meeting regularly and exploring how “Church” can be relevant, and co-operative, in the overall lives of those who are rendered homeless.

There are statutory and charitable groups that offer valuable front line interventions and care. At St. Mary’s we meet many people who are often quite disturbed and are open about exploring the state of their mental health. Many who come seem not to have a sense of being supported.

We are looking at how we might effectively work with the professional teams, and hopefully provide a support which is part of an integrated pattern of care. Please make contact with us if you have ideas or experience.

For now, anyone who is homeless can call in the Wilson Centre, on Alfred Gelder Street. The walk-in centre is open, 9am-4.30pm on Monday, Tuesday. Thursday, Friday. Wednesday 11am-4.40pm.

Meanwhile HARP are appealing for help, funds, volunteers, supplies.

Based at Dock House, St. Peter Street, HU9 1AF. Direct Line: 01482 219022.

Architect's meeting and the DAC reponse: An exciting future in prospect!
The meeting with David Sherriff, our Architect, was very productive. The proposed ground plan is taking shape. The aim is to maintain the final vision and organise the plan of works in manageable stages. We hope to be able to so adapt the premises that full use, both for church purposes and community uses can be properly developed. Funding will have to come from a variety of specialised charitable trusts and any private donors. We are still undecided as to whether to keep and restore the pipe organ or to dispose of it to reputable organ builder. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Here is the DAC Secretary's minute of the Diocesan Advisory Committee’s comments and advice on the proposals submitted: (August 1st 2014)

`Although this application for advice was in a very preliminary state – really an imaginative portfolio of ideas and references – members were unanimous in welcoming its brave and adventurous spirit, its deep respect for the building and its qualities, its understated creativity, and the architects’ passionate urge to make fine, beautiful spaces in a building which they clearly admire and understand. The Committee was aware that the external fabric of the church was now in good heart, but that the interior – perhaps the loveliest ancient, urban church interior in the diocese – was in very poor condition. The expansive large outer south aisle, added in the mid-19 th century, now had little or no function, the building was pewed to accommodate unrealistically large numbers of people, the heating and lighting installations were in desperate need of renewal, the uneven and damaged floors were dangerous, there were no decent vestry facilities and no kitchen or WC worth the name, and the wonderful interior with fine mural monuments, glass and Sir GG Scott/Temple Moore fittings was extremely dirty and impossible to appreciate properly. Despite which the location of the church had enormous possibilities for mission, education, arts and community engagement, and tourism, and seemed now to have a PCC with the energy to manage a major revival. The architects had suggested wholesale clearance of the outer south aisle, and the introduction of a new stone floor and elegant, sophisticated new structures containing much-needed kitchens, WCs and other facilities – this in the context of wholly new services and a complete restoration of the interior, retaining and enhancing the superb furnishings and liturgical arrangements in the nave and north aisle. It was noted that the organ was a large two-manual instrument of some significance, which had been unplayable for many years and required complete dismantling and re-building. However, it was neither used nor apparently needed by the parish, and its repair would absorb very large sums of money which could only be raised with enormous effort and commitment. The Diocesan Organ Advisor had in the past accepted that it could only be retained in situ if mothballed, but had observed that he ‘would not like to see an instrument of this importance, built by a firm eminent in their time, broken up for removal. Only if it were removed and reconstructed carefully elsewhere would this be a suitable solution’. Members warmly welcomed the architects’ vision for the future of the church, and asked the Secretary to write to them, encouraging further development of their ideas, but counselling that the Ancient Monuments Society, the Victorian Society and the Church Buildings Council will all have to be consulted at the appropriate time’.

Father Paul's licensing

Fr Paul rings the bell as a sign of the beginning of his Ministry as Priest-in-Charge.

Along with being licensed, Fr Paul is `installed' as teacher and pastor. His stall, after the Altar is his primary place for prayer and leading worship.

Here's a working model of what our beloved church offers. Click here for the bigger version and Like it on Facebook soyou get a chance or send us comments. Thanks!

Post by St Mary's Church, Lowgate, Hull.

Exciting plans for the future at St Mary's Lowgate

The road to restoration has begun. Our Architect David Sherriff, is submitting these Preliminary plans to the Diocesan Advisory Committee, for comments and fine tuning. Please feel free to add your comments. We will be glad if you could follow our progress and perhaps assist us with meeting our costs. The next meeting with the Architect will be on August 6th 2014 at 7.30pm to agree on the first stage of the works. The overall plan is to allow St. Mary's to become an inclusive space for contemporary activities, but maintaining the dignity and beauty of all that we hold sacred.

Exhibition Photos by Angela Burkitt

Abstract painting by local artist Dawn Lord