St Mary Bishophill Junior, York Explained

St Mary, Bishophill Junior, York
Coordinates:53.9559°N -1.0873°W
Location:Bishophill, York
Country:England
Denomination:Church of England
Churchmanship:Anglo-Catholic
Dedication:St Mary the Virgin
Heritage Designation:Grade I listed
Parish:St Mary Bishophill Junior, York
Deanery:York
Archdeaconry:York
Diocese:Diocese of York
Province:Province of York
Bishop:The Rt Revd Stephen Race SSC (AEO)

St Mary Bishophill Junior, York is a Grade I listed parish church in the Church of England, in the Bishophill area of York.[1]

History

The church dates from the 10th century with the oldest part being the tower, which reuses some Roman stones. It was heightened in the 11th century, probably before the Norman Conquest,[2] and the battlements were added around 1411. The 11th-century nave has a 12th-century north arcade and north aisle. The chancel dates from the 13th century. The font and bells are also mediaeval.

The church was restored between 1860 and 1861[3] by J. B. and W. Atkinson, described by the York Civic Trust as "poorly conceived". The old pews were removed, the floor was raised by 10 inches and concreted. The brick porch was removed, and the wooden window taken out. A stone porch was erected and new windows added. The flat ceilings were removed to reveal the open timber roof. The chancel was renovated by Ewan Christian, architect of the commissioners.

The pulpit and reredos were added by Temple Lushington Moore in 1889.

The tower was restored in 1980.

Parish status

The church is in a joint parish with All Saints' Church, North Street, York.

Organ

The church contained an organ before 1860. During the 1860 restoration, this was turned into a Swell, and a new Great manual of 7 stops was added.

In 1921, F. D. Ward of Middlesbrough undertook some repairs and renovation. After 1930, the 1870 organ by Forster and Andrews from the Church of St Mary Bishophill Senior was installed here.

The current pipe organ dates from 1864 and was originally made by William Denman for the Spiritualist Church on Spen Lane, York. Later it moved to Freemasons’ Hall and in 1986 Principal Pipe Organs installed it here. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.

Notes and References

  1. The Buildings of England. York and the East Riding. Nikolaus Pevsner and David Neave. Yale University Press. 1995.
  2. York Civic Trust, Bishophill: York, p.5
  3. News: . Re-opening of the Church of St Mary Bishophill Junior . York Herald . York . 2 November 1861 . 9 May 2015 .