St Mary's Church, Castlegate, York Explained

St Mary’s Church, Castlegate, York
Coordinates:53.9572°N -1.0805°W
Location:York
Country:England
Previous Denomination:Church of England
Website:https://www.yorkstmarys.org.uk/
Dedication:St Mary the Virgin
Heritage Designation:Grade I listed
Completed Date:11th century

St Mary's Church, Castlegate, York is a Grade I listed former parish church in the Church of England in York.[1]

History

The church is located in Castlegate, an historical street in the centre of York. It dates from the 11th century, but the current building is mostly 15th century.

Highwayman John Nevison, who was hanged on the Knavesmire, in March 1684 was buried in an unmarked grave in the churchyard.

The church was restored between 1867 and 1870 when the east window was replaced, the church re-roofed and the east end parapet was renewed by William Butterfield.

Organ

Details of the installation of the original organ are not known, but it was repaired at a cost of £45 by Hopkins of Heworth in 1884.[2] A new organ was obtained in 1892[3] by Abbott & Co. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register. When the church was declared redundant, the organ was moved to St Thomas’ Church, Heigham, Norfolk.

Exhibition space

The church was declared redundant in 1958 and converted by George Pace and Ronald Sims for secular use. It now houses contemporary art exhibitions operated by York Museums Trust.[4] It has hosted exhibitions by Susan Stockwell,[5] Susan Aldworth,[6] and the Aesthetica Art Prize.[7]

In 2016 there were 6,906 visitors to exhibitions in the church.[8]

Notes and References

  1. The Buildings of England. York and the East Riding. Nikolaus Pevsner and David Neave. Yale University Press. 1995.
  2. News: . Organ re-opening at St Mary’s Castlegate, York . York Herald . York . 1 November 1884 . 9 May 2015 .
  3. News: . Dedication of an organ in York . York Herald . York . 8 December 1892 . 9 May 2015 .
  4. Web site: York St Mary's. York Museums Trust. 9 May 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120623042745/http://www.yorkstmarys.org.uk/Page/Index.aspx. 23 June 2012 .
  5. News: Hutchinson, C. . 25 June 2010 . Artist Susan Stockwell's Flood, York St Mary’s until October . . 14 February 2018.
  6. News: Hutchinson, C. . 25 June 2010 . . Susan Aldworth's pillows talk of dreams as York St Mary's becomes the land of nod . 14 February 2018.
  7. News: Hutchinson, C. . 2 April 2015 . . 2014 Aesthetica Art Prize exhibition, York St Mary’s, until May 31 . 14 February 2018.
  8. Trustees Reports and Financial Statements, Year Ended 31 March 2016 . 2016 . York Museums Trust . 15 February 2018.