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A large, Perpendicular Gothic church,
serving the
Parish of Thirsk in the Diocese of York
The Benefice of Thirsk
Rector: Rev Richard Rowling |
St Mary's Church Thirsk: Home Page
Welcome to St Mary's Church Thirsk 
Looking along the nave, towards the chancel | St. Mary’s Church was built between 1420 and 1480 and is a magnificent mediaeval
building. Often called the cathedral of North Yorkshire because of its outstanding
Perpendicular Gothic architecture, size and prominence - it has an 80 ft tower - it
attracts many thousands of visitors every year and has served the needs of the people
of Thirsk for over 500 years. It has seen many changes, witnessed turbulent times and
helped people to see beyond their troubles and encouraged them to look to God.
St. Mary's is an Anglican church (Church of England) situated at the end of Kirkgate.
There is no dedicated parking but there are ample spaces nearby and in local car
parks. Parking is free at present.
From Easter to the end of October the church is open to visitors from 10.00am to 4.00pm daily and from 12.00pm to 4.00pm on Sundays and as often as possible throughout the winter usually on
Wednesday and Friday mornings. | Regular and Special Services St. Mary's offers a full range of regular services, including Holy Communion(Sunday 8.00am.Book of Common Prayer)Parish Communion,All Age Worship (without Holy Communion) and also Morning and Evening Prayer.
Arrangements for funerals may be made through the Rector, using the contact details from the link above.Christenings and weddings may be arranged during the Office Hour, 6.00pm to 7.00pm in the vestry, every Monday evening -except Bank Holidays. (Please note that the Evening Service follows immediately at 7.00pm) | Our Website This website was launched on 3rd August 2008. It contains notices and news items of interest to members of the Parish, as well as articles of general interest describing St Mary's Church, its history and its fine organ.
It is hoped that we are meeting the needs of those who visit it. We are always grateful for comments and suggestions which help us improve the Website. To have your say contact the Media Officer: media@stmaryschurchthirsk.org.uk | Ark Club(Sunday School)
During the 10.15 service on Sunday the children go with their leaders, into the Crypt for stories and activities before rejoining the congregation for blessing or Holy Communion.
The children enjoy a Godly Play story session once a month.See Calendar for next session.
So why is St. Mary's Sunday School called Ark Club ? Some years ago it entered a float depicting Noah's Ark into the Thirsk Festival competition and won first prize.The children decided they much preferred to be known as the 'Ark Club' - and so it was. | Ministry of Welcome The Ministry of Welcome is a most important part of St. Mary’s Mission. Thanks to volunteer ‘Welcomers’ the church is open to Visitors throughout the year.In winter and spring it is usually open on Wednesdays 10.00am to 11.30am and Fridays 10.00am to 12.00pm. At present the church is open daily 10.00am to 4.00pm and 12.00pm to 4.00pm on Sundays until the end of October.
There is no entry charge but donations to church funds are welcome.
Thanks to Inner Wheel there is a wheelchair available for visitors use. | Monday Lunchtime Organ Recitals Alan Morton, St. Mary’s Church organist, has arranged a programme of lunchtime organ recitals to be held on the first Monday every month until 5th October.Recitals last from 12.15pm to 12.45pm. Money raised by the recitals will be used for further work on the organ. Eventually the organ pipes, some of which date back to 1813, will have to be cleaned and repaired at a cost of £16,000 at today’s prices so St. Mary’s must continue fund-raising. Alan Morton says “The organ is now a real pleasure to play and it is great to have so many guest organists willing to pull out all the stops!”
The refurbishment of the organ in 2007 enhanced what was already a lovely sound and guest organists now enjoy playing St. Mary’s organ so all the recital dates are covered.
Home-made Refreshments and light lunches are available in the crypt. Admission to the recitals is free but donations to the Organ Fund are welcome.
| Herriot Connections Thirsk is the town in which Alf Wight, writing as James Herriot, was in veterinary practise. He was married to Joan Danbury in St. Mary’s Church on 5th November 1941 with only the vicar and two witnesses present. (There is an interesting description in one of his books ‘Let sleeping Vets Lie’.) His daughter was married in St. Mary’s Church as was his granddaughter (on 6th August 2005)
| Parish Records Thirsk Parish Registers date from 1556, but only the current registers are held in the Church. Historic registers, together with other Parish Chest documents (such as churchwardens’ accounts, bastardy orders, apprenticeships and so on) are deposited in the North Yorkshire County Record Office in Northallerton where they may be consulted on microfilm. A printed transcript of the Thirsk registers from 1556 to 1721 was published in 1911 and can be found as Volume 42 in the Yorkshire Parish Register Society series. Indexed transcripts of the registers to 1837 can be consulted at the County Record Office.
Whilst emails concerning family histories are welcome it is not possible for the Media Officer to undertake any research.However the local branch of the County Library in Finkle Street has a useful collection of books on local history including trade directories of which one of the most useful is that published by Bulmer in 1892. The Local Studies section of the County Library in Northallerton has a wider range. Local family history advice is also available through Thirsk Museum, just a short walk from the church in Kirkgate.
Useful telephone numbers:
North Yorkshire County Record Office: 01609-777585
Thirsk Town Council: 01845-526445
Thirsk Museum: 01845- 527707
| Burial Records- Information If you are seeking burial entries you should note that the churchyard at St. Mary’s was closed in 1880 and with the exception of a very few burials in family vaults (mainly those of the BELL family) interments after that date took place in the cemetery and are not recorded in the burial register.
Cemetery records are held by Thirsk Town Council and can be consulted by arrangement with the Clerk to the Council. In 1991 the Cleveland, North Yorkshire and South Durham Family History Society made records of all the existing memorial inscriptions in the church and churchyard, but not those in the cemetery. An indexed copy of the survey may be consulted in the church, but it should be remembered that this list records only those gravestones and other memorials that were legible at the time of the survey and by no means covers all the burials that have taken place. This list also records the list of past incumbents and the names shown on the War Memorial which stands within the church and not outside. |
Electronic Newsletter
St. Mary's publishes a printed newsletter on a regular basis and this is available from the Church, or it can be delivered within the
Thirsk area by arrangement. If you would like to receive this newsletter via email, simply click on the button to add your
email address to our electronic mailing list.
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