YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION?
NAVE PIER CAPITALS
THE TOWER
RESTORATION
ELIZABETHAN ALTAR
HARRISON BRASS
17TH CENTURY
THE DOBSON MONUMENT
THE TOWER
18TH CENTURY
WILLIAM WILBERFORCE
THE SCOTT ERA
THE CHAPEL OF THE NATIVITY
THE SCREEN
1936-37 RESTORATION
THE SECOND WORLD WAR
DATE.
No-one can say when the original church was consecrated. It
certainly existed in 1327 (references in will of a Wm Skayl). In 1333
Archbishop Melton's licence permitted the Austin Canons of North
Ferriby to baptise, bury and take other services in the "Chapel of
the Blessed Mary in Hull", because of the distance and wintertime
perils of the Humberside journey. We began, then, as a Chapel of Ease
to Ferriby (cf. Holy Trinity to Hessle). As late as 1822 the Dock
Company contested payment of rates on the grounds that there was no
clear evidence of St Mary's having become a separate parish.
Top of Page
YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION?
The "forest" of pillars? The unusually square
proportions? This latter is the result of the south aisle (nearest
door) being added in the l860s. You enter the medieval church by
moving on to face the High Altar. There has been much discussion by
the experts of the date and history of this central portion, both
nave and chancel (behind the screen). They are probably early 15th
century, work. Note wider arches in nave than in chancel, with
corresponding difference in admirable clerestory windows above. Note
also the beautiful tracery of east window. Looking out of scale, it
indicates either larger intentions or an actually larger building,
the church nave extending a bay or two further into Lowgate. Although
the glass in this and other windows is mainly Victorian, there are
four medieval shields high in the east window.
Top of Page
NAVE PIER CAPITALS
deserve attention - fishes, weasels, leopards,
etc. When you move forward, note chancel hood-stops, where pillar and
arch meet. North side stops feature a King, Queen and Bishop,
probably Edward Ill, Eleanor and Archbishop Melton.
Top of Page
THE TOWER
was built in late 15th century. In 1518 it fell down (similar
disaster at St Mary's, Beverley, in 1520). Various chroniclers allege
that Henry VIII pulled down the whole west end in 1538 to gain cheap
building materials for private use and for the Drypool fortifications
or just because his view from the Suffolk Palace (where Three John Scotts is
now) was blocked. Probably Henry did no more than clear away the
ruins of the west end.
Top of Page
RESTORATION
certainly took place under Queen Elizabeth. In the
previous decades one must assume some mutilation and despoilment. But
the essential life of the church went on without a break while the
Church was reforming itself. The table of Vicars (at back of church)
is one witness to the continuity.
Top of Page
ELIZABETHAN ALTAR
is a feature of the south aisle and is described on
a nearby card.
Top of Page
HARRISON BRASS,
to the casual glance, is a dark and insignificant
rectangle. Harrison was a "scheman" (tailor, draper). He kneels with
his three sons, facing his two (successive) wives. The prayer for the
departed was missed by the iconoclasts. This brass is now kept in the
vestry, but may be seen on request.
Top of Page
17TH CENTURY.
We shared in the confusion and troubles. It is
reasonable to suppose Charles I was a worshipper here, while staying
in what is now Wilberforce House (whose owner, Sir john Lister, gave
us some splendid silver). The contentious John Shaw was preacher in
1644 before moving to the "High Church", i.e. Holy Trinity. In 1651,
despite popular petition, the clergy of both churches were rejected
for loyalty to the Prayer Book. N.B. Our Parish Registers go back to
the 16th century. There are examples of Elizabethan panelling in the
clergy vestry. A 17th century altar plate is in occasional use.
Top of Page
THE DOBSON MONUMENT
of 1666 is over door in N.W. corner (straight
across from entrance door). A pity the light is poor, for it has been
reckoned the best example of its period in these parts.
Top of Page
THE TOWER
was not rebuilt until 1697 - in brick - see Tickell's
engraving in S.E. corner. This tower was encased in stone (1860s) and
pierced to let a footpath through. But bells were rung before 1697 for
James II, for William of Orange, for Marlborough's victories, the
defeat of the 1745 rebellion, and Waterloo. In 1820 they tolled from
5 a.m. to midnight (death of George Ill).
Top of Page
18TH CENTURY
altered nave to "preaching house" with rents for box
pews up to 2 gns a year. A huge three-decker pulpit blocked the
central aisle. Galleries. Parish clerk of 1720 noted: "Customs
officers want a whole loft - it will be as nigh heaven as they'll
ever come."
Top of Page
WILLIAM WILBERFORCE
was born in High Street in 1759. His grandfather
was several times Churchwarden here.
Top of Page
THE SCOTT ERA
Three Scots held the benefice 1816-83. No. 1 was
"Evangelical". No. 2 instigated a sweeping "Gothic Revival" 1861-63.
Harm as well as good was done. Misguided "improvers" swept away much
that was bright, simple and dignified in favour of dim religiosity,
fussy detail, and intricate "fretwork". Directing, operations was the
celebrated Sir George Gilbert Scott, cousin of the vicar. The Georgian
woodwork was swept away. The new south aisle compensated for lost
gallery seating. The central pulpit was cleared away and the altar
backed by an elaborate stone reredos. In 1866 the third John Scott
admitted a surpliced choir to the chancel (surplices were still very
"high"). Pew rents were abolished in 1867. From the same year
Communion was celebrated weekly instead of once a month. This third
Scott. was an outstanding incumbent - "Catholic and Evangelical" -
starting many social and religious guilds in the populous parish,
organising Mission Rooms, a Parish Nurse, a Penny Bank, a soup kitch
en ... and so on.
Top of Page
THE CHAPEL OF THE NATIVITY
forms the north-east corner. It dates from
1908 and is a memorial to the third John Scott. The altar piece
figures are SS James and Anne to whom the medieval church had altars.
The designer was Temple Moore.
Top of Page
THE SCREEN
dedicated in 1912, is also a Temple Moore design, carried
out by Leslie Moore. Early perpendicular style. The four Doctors of
the Church are Ambrose, Gregory, Augustine and Jerome. You will find
- perhaps with surprise - Edward VII's features on the "boss" at the
top of the archway.
Top of Page
1936-37 RESTORATION
was on conservative lines, lime washing exterior
and interior, inserting damp courses for pillars (affected by
periodic flooding).
Top of Page
THE SECOND WORLD WAR.
Almost miraculously the church escaped serious
damage. But the draining away of population continued. Today less
than a hundred people actually live in the parish. The future is full
of question marks, as the past is full of interest and inspiration.
And the past is present here and now. Above all, the same God is very
present ... This is not just a "museum" - but a church.
Top of Page
