St. Mary's Church, Nottingham
Encyclopedia
The Church of St Mary the Virgin is the oldest religious foundation in the City of Nottingham
, England
, the largest church after the Roman Catholic Cathedral
and the largest mediæval building in Nottingham
.
The church is Grade I listed by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport as a building of outstanding architectural or historic interest. It is one of only five Grade I listed buildings in the City of Nottingham.
It is situated on High Pavement
at the heart of the historic Lace Market
district and is also known as St Mary's in the Lace Market. It is a member of the Greater Churches Group
, and part of the parish of All Saints', St. Mary's and St. Peter's, Nottingham. A map of the parish is available on Google Maps
and is believed to go back deep into Saxon times. The main body of the present building (at least the third on the site) dates from the end of the reign of Edward III (1377) to that of Henry VII
(1485–1509). The nave was finished before 1475 and it is notable for its uniformity of gothic perpendicular style. It is likely that the south aisle wall was the first part of the building to be constructed in the early 1380s, with the remainder of the nave and transepts being from the early 15th century. The tower was completed in the reign of Henry VIII
.
The church was owned by Lenton Priory
from 1108 to 1538 and the monks took the living of the church as Rector, and appointed a Vicar
to perform the daily offices.
In 1513, a school was founded in the church by Dame Agnes Mellers as The Free School of the Town of Nottingham. This is now Nottingham High School
. In the Foundation Deed, Mellers provided that a Commemoration Service should be held in the church "on the Feast of The Translation of St Richard of Chichester". With the exception of the Goose Fair, it is the most ancient ceremonial event still perpetuated in the City of Nottingham,
George Fox
founder of the Religious Society of Friends
, commonly known as the Quakers or Friends, was imprisoned in Nottingham in 1649 after interrupting the preacher at St. Mary's.
Nottingham Bluecoat School was founded in 1706, and the first lessons were taught in the porch of the church.
For several years from 1716, the church was used to house the town fire engine. It was kept at the west end, and was still there until at least 1770.
St. Mary’s opened a workhouse in 1726 at the south end of Mansfield Road and ran it until 1834 when responsibility for workhouses was transferred from parishes to secular Boards of Guardians. The workhouse was demolished in 1895 to clear part of the site needed for the construction of the Nottingham Victoria railway station
.
The church was closed for 5 years from 1843 for a major restoration
. It re-opened on 19 May 1848 when the Bishop of Lincoln
John Kaye presided.
education for those children unable to attend a day school. Pupils were taught reading, writing and arithmetic, as well as religious knowledge. The first Sunday School was opened in 1751, 35 years before the generally acknowledged first Sunday School was founded in Gloucester by Robert Raikes
.
The chantry room has latterly been used as a bonehouse, a coal store, and a chair store. It now contains a toilet for wheelchair users.
The survival of the door is likely to be due to the fact that it has not been heavily used, and is internal within the church.
by a Bishop
during a Confirmation service was first observed ca. 1760 and documented by Thomas Newton
Bishop of Bristol
. This laying on of hands was done by John Gilbert, Archbishop of York
.
in memory of his father-in-law, Revd. Francis Morse
.
The intention of the design of the doors is to illustrate the Life of Our Lord in its relation with the Holy Mother to whom the church is dedicated and by the general treatment to suggest the idea of pity.
In the tympanum enclosed within a vesica the Holy Mother supports and cherishes the body of Christ, while in the spandrels, on either side, the gates of Death and Life are suggested: the Dove, typifying the spirit, enters weary into the one and issues strong-winged from the other, thus symbolising the unending round of Death and Life.
The dedicatory inscription "In loving memory of Francis Morse, 1818-1886, Father, Pastor, Friend" in the form of a pierced cresting, divides the tympanum from the doors themselves. These are formed into panels by mouldings of beaten bronze, with angel bosses at the intersections.
On each leaf of the door are five panels, in relief, illustrating the Life of Our Lord, the subjects on the left leaf being “The Annunciation,” with Gabriel appearing at the Virgin’s window in the early morning; “The Visitation,” with the Virgin running to meet her kinswoman. Below these come “The Nativity,” followed by “The Epiphany,” and the lowest panel shows the Salvator Mundi on a Cross of branching vine. At the foot of the Cross stand our first parents, conscious of the fall, while the doves of peace and pardon hover overhead.
The subjects of the panels on the right door of the leaf are “The flight into Egypt”; “The Baptism in the Jordan”; “The entry into Jerusalem”; The three Maries at the Sepulchre”; and “The Resurrection.” In this panel the Saviour is shown emerging from the tomb and while still bound with the grave clothes, the Spirit of Life, in the form of a Dove, flies to His breast, and overhead the birds sing at the coming of a new Dawn.
stained glass
windows by many famous makers, including Kempe
, Burlison and Grylls
and Hardman & Co.
.
It is also known for its octagonal mediæval font with a palindromic
Greek inscription NIΨONANOMHMATAMHMONANOΨIN
(Wash my transgressions, not only my face), and a rather battered alabaster
tomb fragment which portrays a lily crucifix and a Nottingham Alabaster
panel depicting Archbishop Thomas Becket
.
Internal dimensions are from west to east from north to south (across the transepts).
The tower stands 126 feet (38.4 m) above ground level.
. In the past, the election of the town mayor took place in the church and this tradition continues with a welcome to the new Lord Mayor of Nottingham
in a service held each summer.
It is the University Church for the University of Nottingham
and several schools and organisations hold annual services here.
In recent years, in addition to its function as a place of worship, St Mary's is the venue for a wide range of concerts and public performances, and is home to the Nottingham Bach Choir.
The assistant curate at St Mary's takes the ancient title 'Lecturer
', the post is currently held by Revd. Stephen Morris.
The church retains the Book of Common Prayer
, the traditional Liturgical colours
and the principal services are sung by a robed choir.
St. Mary's retains the historic practice of celebrating the Eucharist at a High Altar Ad orientem
with priest and people facing eastwards, rather than the contemporary practice of Versus populum
having the priest facing the congregation.
, but with the increasing industrialisation of the Lace Market
at the end of the 19th century, the church purchased a new residence opposite the castle gatehouse. This was used as St. Mary's Vicarage until Canon Eddie Neale retired in 2003.
The adjoining property was the rectory
for St. Peter's Church, Nottingham
.
A joint parish house has now been purchased in The Park Estate.
There are three choral services a week – Wednesday Evensong, Sunday Eucharist and Sunday Evensong.
Renowned for its versatility and wide repertoire it performs music from plainsong through to world premieres, performs regularly in concert on its own and with St Mary’s resident orchestra, The Orchestra of the Restoration. Organ and Choral Scholarships are available to students in full-time higher education.
of Denmark and was installed in 1973. It has 25 speaking stops and is a very small organ for a church of this size.
Link to details of the organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, the largest church after the Roman Catholic Cathedral
Nottingham Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of St. Barnabas in the city of Nottingham, England, is a cathedral of the Roman Catholic church. It is the mother church of the Diocese of Nottingham and seat of the Bishop of Nottingham.-Location:...
and the largest mediæval building in Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
.
The church is Grade I listed by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport as a building of outstanding architectural or historic interest. It is one of only five Grade I listed buildings in the City of Nottingham.
It is situated on High Pavement
High Pavement
High Pavement is a street in Nottingham, England. It is one of the earliest streets in the city, and most of its buildings are listed.-History:...
at the heart of the historic Lace Market
Lace Market
The Lace Market is an historic quarter-mile square area of Nottingham, England.Once the heart of the world's lace industry during the days of the British Empire, it is full of impressive examples of 19th century industrial architecture and thus is a protected heritage area...
district and is also known as St Mary's in the Lace Market. It is a member of the Greater Churches Group
Greater Churches Group
The Greater Churches Network is a self-help organisation within the Church of England. There are currently 32 churches within the Greater Churches Network....
, and part of the parish of All Saints', St. Mary's and St. Peter's, Nottingham. A map of the parish is available on Google Maps
History
The church is mentioned in the Domesday BookDomesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
and is believed to go back deep into Saxon times. The main body of the present building (at least the third on the site) dates from the end of the reign of Edward III (1377) to that of Henry VII
Henry VII of England
Henry VII was King of England and Lord of Ireland from his seizing the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death on 21 April 1509, as the first monarch of the House of Tudor....
(1485–1509). The nave was finished before 1475 and it is notable for its uniformity of gothic perpendicular style. It is likely that the south aisle wall was the first part of the building to be constructed in the early 1380s, with the remainder of the nave and transepts being from the early 15th century. The tower was completed in the reign of Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
.
The church was owned by Lenton Priory
Lenton Priory
Lenton Priory was a Cluniac house founded by William Peverel in the early 12th century. The exact date of foundation is unknown but 1102 is frequently quoted.-Cluniac Priory:...
from 1108 to 1538 and the monks took the living of the church as Rector, and appointed a Vicar
Perpetual curate
A Perpetual Curate was a clergyman of the Church of England officiating as parish priest in a small or sparsely peopled parish or districtAs noted below the term perpetual was not to be understood literally but was used to indicate he was not a curate but the parish priest and of higher...
to perform the daily offices.
In 1513, a school was founded in the church by Dame Agnes Mellers as The Free School of the Town of Nottingham. This is now Nottingham High School
Nottingham High School
Nottingham High School is a British boys' independent school situated about a mile north of Nottingham city centre. It has around 900 pupils from ages 11 to 18 and there is the adjoining Nottingham High Junior School catering for younger boys and, from September 2008, the Lovell House...
. In the Foundation Deed, Mellers provided that a Commemoration Service should be held in the church "on the Feast of The Translation of St Richard of Chichester". With the exception of the Goose Fair, it is the most ancient ceremonial event still perpetuated in the City of Nottingham,
George Fox
George Fox
George Fox was an English Dissenter and a founder of the Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as the Quakers or Friends.The son of a Leicestershire weaver, Fox lived in a time of great social upheaval and war...
founder of the Religious Society of Friends
Religious Society of Friends
The Religious Society of Friends, or Friends Church, is a Christian movement which stresses the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. Members are known as Friends, or popularly as Quakers. It is made of independent organisations, which have split from one another due to doctrinal differences...
, commonly known as the Quakers or Friends, was imprisoned in Nottingham in 1649 after interrupting the preacher at St. Mary's.
Nottingham Bluecoat School was founded in 1706, and the first lessons were taught in the porch of the church.
For several years from 1716, the church was used to house the town fire engine. It was kept at the west end, and was still there until at least 1770.
St. Mary’s opened a workhouse in 1726 at the south end of Mansfield Road and ran it until 1834 when responsibility for workhouses was transferred from parishes to secular Boards of Guardians. The workhouse was demolished in 1895 to clear part of the site needed for the construction of the Nottingham Victoria railway station
Nottingham Victoria railway station
Nottingham Victoria railway station was a Great Central Railway and Great Northern Railway railway station in Nottingham, England. It was designed by the architect Albert Edward Lambert....
.
The church was closed for 5 years from 1843 for a major restoration
Victorian restoration
Victorian restoration is the term commonly used to refer to the widespread and extensive refurbishment and rebuilding of Church of England churches and cathedrals that took place in England and Wales during the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria...
. It re-opened on 19 May 1848 when the Bishop of Lincoln
Bishop of Lincoln
The Bishop of Lincoln is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Lincoln in the Province of Canterbury.The present diocese covers the county of Lincolnshire and the unitary authority areas of North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. The Bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral...
John Kaye presided.
First Sunday School
St. Mary’s pioneered Sunday SchoolSunday school
Sunday school is the generic name for many different types of religious education pursued on Sundays by various denominations.-England:The first Sunday school may have been opened in 1751 in St. Mary's Church, Nottingham. Another early start was made by Hannah Ball, a native of High Wycombe in...
education for those children unable to attend a day school. Pupils were taught reading, writing and arithmetic, as well as religious knowledge. The first Sunday School was opened in 1751, 35 years before the generally acknowledged first Sunday School was founded in Gloucester by Robert Raikes
Robert Raikes
Robert Raikes was an English philanthropist and Anglican layman, noted for his promotion of Sunday schools...
.
A society of good and well meaning persons which meet every Wednesday and Sunday evenings in the vestry of St. Mary's, pay yearly 6l. 8s. for the instruction of sixteen more poor children; and about six are put to school by the charity of private persons.
New parishes created from St. Mary's
- 1822 St. Paul's Church, George Street, NottinghamSt. Paul's Church, George Street, NottinghamSt. Paul’s Church, George Street, was a Church of England church built as a Chapel of Ease to St. Mary's Church, Nottingham. It was opened in 1822 and closed in 1924.-Background:...
built as a chapel of ease - 1841 Holy Trinity Church, Trinity SquareHoly Trinity Church, Trinity SquareHoly Trinity Church, Nottingham was a Church of England church in Nottingham from 1841 to 1958.-History:It was designed by the architect Henry Isaac Stevens....
- 1844 St. John the Baptist's Church, Leenside, NottinghamSt. John the Baptist's Church, Leenside, NottinghamThe church of St. John the Baptist, Leenside, Nottingham was opened in 1844 as a parish church in the Church of England. It was destroyed in 1941.-History:...
(destroyed by enemy action in May 1941) - 1856 St. Mark's Church, NottinghamSt. Mark's Church, NottinghamSt. Mark's Church, Nottingham was a Church of England church in Nottingham between 1856 and 1958. The section of Huntingdon Street where the church was located, was formerly called Windsor Street.-History:...
- 1856 St. Matthew's Church, Talbot StreetSt. Matthew's Church, Talbot StreetSt. Matthew’s Church, Talbot Street was a Church of England church in Nottingham between 1856 and 1956.-History:It was formed as a parish in 1856, from the parish of St. Mary's Church, Nottingham. The site of 3,000 square yards in Sand Field off Talbot Street was bought by G.J.P...
- 1863 St. Ann's Church, NottinghamSt. Ann's Church, NottinghamSt. Ann's Church, St. Ann's Well Road was a Church of England church in Nottingham on St. Ann's Well Road between 1864 and 1971.-History:It was created out of the parish of St. Mary's Church, Nottingham through the impetus of the vicar of St. Mary's, Joshua William Brooks...
, with St Andrew’sSt. Andrew's Church, NottinghamSt. Andrew's Church Nottingham is a parish church in the Church of England.-Background:The church was built as a daughter church to St. Ann's Church, Nottingham between 1869 and 1871 by William Knight, and extended by S. R. Stevenson in 1884.-Incumbents:...
created out of this parish, in 1871 - 1863 St. Luke's Church, NottinghamSt. Luke's Church, NottinghamSt. Luke’s Church, Nottingham was a Church of England church in Nottingham at the junction of Carlton Road and St. Luke's Road near Sneinton between 1862 and 1923.-History:...
- 1863 St. Saviour'sSt Saviours in the Meadows, NottinghamSt Saviours in the Meadows is a parish church in the Church of England in The Meadows, Nottingham.The church is Grade II listed by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport as it is a building of special architectural or historic interest.-History:...
, Arkwright Street - 1864 All Saints’, Raleigh Street as a chapel of ease (now merged again with St. Mary's following the unification with St. Peter's and All Saints').
- 1881 Emmanuel Church, Woodborough RoadEmmanuel Church, Woodborough RoadEmmanuel Church, Nottingham was a Church of England church in Nottingham on Woodborough Road between 1883 and 1972.-History:It was built to designs by the local architect Watson Fothergill and consecrated on 27 January 1885. There were 600 free seats, and a parish of 6,000...
in 1885 - 1888 St. Catharine'sSt. Catharine's Church, NottinghamSt. Catharine's Church, Nottingham was a parish church in the Church of England in Nottingham.-History:St. Catharine's was built in 1896 by Robert Clarke. It was situated on the St. Ann's Well Road....
, St. Ann's Well Road out of the parishes of St Mary, St Mark, St Luke and St Paul - 1903 St. Bartholomew's Church, Blue Bell Hill RoadSt. Bartholomew's Church, NottinghamSt. Bartholomew's Church, Nottingham was a Church of England church in Nottingham on Blue Bell Hill Road between 1902 and 1971.-History:The church was built to designs started by John Loughborough Pearson and completed by his son. Frank Loughborough Pearson....
Restorations
- 1726 West front rebuilt by Hiorne of Warwick in the Classical style.
- c1818-20 South aisle restored and crossing vault replaced by William StrettonWilliam StrettonWilliam Stretton was a builder and architect based in Nottingham.-Family:He was the eldest child of Samuel Stretton and was baptised at Lenton on April 20, 1755....
. - 1843 Tower saved from collapse by Lewis Nockalls CottinghamLewis Nockalls CottinghamLewis Nockalls Cottingham was a British architect who pioneered the study of Medieval Gothic architecture. He was a restorer and conservator of existing buildings...
. - 1844-1848 Five year restorationVictorian restorationVictorian restoration is the term commonly used to refer to the widespread and extensive refurbishment and rebuilding of Church of England churches and cathedrals that took place in England and Wales during the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria...
of roofs and west front returned to gothic style by George Gilbert ScottGeorge Gilbert ScottSir George Gilbert Scott was an English architect of the Victorian Age, chiefly associated with the design, building and renovation of churches, cathedrals and workhouses...
(church closed) at a cost of £9,000 (£ as of ), - 1848-1860s Internal restorationVictorian restorationVictorian restoration is the term commonly used to refer to the widespread and extensive refurbishment and rebuilding of Church of England churches and cathedrals that took place in England and Wales during the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria...
by George Gilbert ScottGeorge Gilbert ScottSir George Gilbert Scott was an English architect of the Victorian Age, chiefly associated with the design, building and renovation of churches, cathedrals and workhouses...
and William Bonython MoffattWilliam Bonython MoffattWilliam Bonython Moffatt was an architect, who for many years was a partner with Sir George Gilbert Scott at Spring Gardens, London.Moffatt was the son of a small builder and pupil of James Edmeston...
. - 1872 Chancel reroofed by George Gilbert ScottGeorge Gilbert ScottSir George Gilbert Scott was an English architect of the Victorian Age, chiefly associated with the design, building and renovation of churches, cathedrals and workhouses...
. - 1890 The Chapter House was built by George Frederick BodleyGeorge Frederick BodleyGeorge Frederick Bodley was an English architect working in the Gothic revival style.-Personal life:Bodley was the youngest son of William Hulme Bodley, M.D. of Edinburgh, physician at Hull Royal Infirmary, Kingston upon Hull, who in 1838 retired to his wife's home town, Brighton, Sussex, England....
. - 1912 The Lady Chapel added by Temple Lushington MooreTemple Lushington MooreTemple Lushington Moore was an architect working in the Gothic revival style.-Personal life:He was the son of Captain George Frederick Moore and Charlotte Reilly ....
. - 1935 Tower ringing room floor concreted and new bell frame
- 1940 The Simpson memorial choir vestry added.
- 1992-93 Exterior fabric restored and cleaned.
- 2008 New kitchens and toilet facilities.
Chantry door
The chantry door is considered to be the oldest surviving door in Nottingham, dating from the 1370s or 1380s. it contains an example of iron work from the medieval period in the locking mechanism.The chantry room has latterly been used as a bonehouse, a coal store, and a chair store. It now contains a toilet for wheelchair users.
The survival of the door is likely to be due to the fact that it has not been heavily used, and is internal within the church.
List of vicars
- 1086 Aitard
- 1228 Thomas de Punignal
- c1235 Nicholas (? of Ostia)
- c1250 Philip de Norhamptone
- c1266 William de Birley
- c1279 Robert de Adinburg
- 1289 Richard de Notingham
- 1290 John de Ely
- 1304 Robert de Dalby
- 1313 Henry de Parva Halam
- 1317 John de Ludham
- 1322 John fil William Cosyn
- 1347 John de la Launde
- 1347 Robert de Wakebrigge
- 1348 Richard de Radclyff
- 1348 Roger de Nydingworth
- 1349 Richard de Swanyngton
- 1351 Thomas Pascayl
- 1357 John Chatarez
- 1357 John Lorymer, of Hoveden
- 1364 John de Stapleford
- 1371 William de Sandyacre
- 1374 Robert de Retford
- 1401 Richard de Chilwell
- 1409 William Ode
- 1442 William Wryght
- 1461 John Hurt, S.T.D.
- 1476 Thomas Turner, M.A.
- 1498 John Greve, S.T.B.
- 1499 Symeon Yates, Dec. B.
- 1504 Richard Taverner LL.B.
- 1534 Richard Mathew, Dec.B.
- 1535 Richard Wylde, M.A.
- 1554 Oliver Hawood
- 1568 John Lowthe, LL.B.
- 1572 William Underne
- 1578 Robert AldridgeRobert AldridgeRobert Aldridge was an English clergyman.-Life:Born at Burnham in Buckinghamshire, Robert Aldridge was educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge, where he was a Fellow from 1564 to 1567. From 1576 to 1616 he was Rector of Wollaton 1576-1616, and from 1 May 1578 to 1616 Vicar of St. Mary's...
- 1616 Oliver Wytherington, M.A.
- 1616 John Tolson, S.T.B.
- 1617 Ralph Hansby, M.A.
- 1635 Edmund Lacock, B.D.
- 1645 William Howitt
- 1647/8 Nicholas Folkingham
- 1649 Jonathan Boole
- 1651 John Whitlock M.A. and William Reynolds, M.A.
- 1662 George Masterson, M.A.
- 1686 Samuel Crowborough, D.D.
- 1690 Benjamin Camfield, M.A.
- 1694 Timothy Caryl, M.A.
- 1698 Edward Clarke, M.A.
- 1708 Samuel BerdmoreSamuel BerdmoreSamuel Berdmore was an English clergyman, the fourth son of Edward Berdmore of Worcester. He died on 24 March 1742/3.Educated at Charterhouse School, Samuel matriculated from Merton College, Oxford in 1693, gained his BA in 1697 and an MA from King's in 1706....
, M.A. - 1723 John DisneyJohn Disney (1677-1730)John Disney was an English clergyman. He was Vicar of Croft and Kirkby-on-Bain, Lincolnshire from 1719 to 1722, and Vicar of St. Mary's Church, Nottingham from 2 October 1722 to 1729/30.-Life:...
, M.A. - 1730 Thomas Berdmore, M.A.
- 1743 Scrope BerdmoreScrope BerdmoreScrope Berdmore D.D. was an English clergyman.-Life:His father was Samuel Berdmore and his mother was Martha Scrope. He matriculated from Merton College, Oxford in 1724, gained his BA in 1728, MA in 1732, BD in 1738 and Doctor of Divinity in 1742.He followed his father as Vicar of St. Mary's...
, D.D. - 1770 Nathan Haines D.D.
- 1806 John Bristow, D.D.
- 1810 George Hutchinson, M.A.
- 1817 George WilkinsGeorge Wilkins (priest)George Wilkins, D.D. was born in May 1785 in Norwich. He served as a priest in the Church of England and was Archdeacon of Nottingham. He died on 13 August 1865.-Life:...
, D.D. - 1843 Joshua William BrooksJoshua William BrooksJoshua William Brooks, M.A. was born in 1790 and died 15 February 1882: he was a priest in the Church of England.-Family:Joshua William Brooks married Frances Summerscales on 1 January 1829 in Sandal Magna, West Riding of Yorkshire.-Career:...
, M.A. - 1864 Francis MorseFrancis MorseFrancis Morse, M.A. born 18 May 1818, died 18 September 1886 was a priest in the Church of England.-Family:Francis Morse was the son of Thomas Morse and Elizabeth of Blundeston, Norfolk. He was educated at Shrewsbury School and St John's College, Cambridge....
, M.A. - 1886 John Gray RichardsonJohn Gray RichardsonJohn Gray Richardson was a priest in the Church of England.-Family:Richardson was the son of Samuel B. Richardson of Sheffield. He studied at Trinity College, Cambridge and graduated in 1872. He was ordained in the Church of England in 1875 and vicar of Monks Kirby, Warwickshire, St. John the...
, M.A. - 1900 Arthur Hamilton BaynesArthur Hamilton BaynesArthur Hamilton Baynes was a Church of England priest and Bishop of Natal from 1893 to 1901.He was the son of Joseph Ash Baynes and Mary Elizabeth Beard, and following ordination in 1882, was Domestic Chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury, E.W...
, D.D., Bp. - 1913 Thomas FieldThomas FieldThomas Field was born on 9 November 1855 and died 20 May 1936. He was a priest in the Church of England.-Life:He was the son of Thomas Field of Folkestone, a draper...
, D.D. - 1926 James Geoffrey GordonJames Geoffrey GordonJames Geoffrey Gordon M.A. was a priest and bishop in the Church of England.-Life:James Gordon was the son of J. E. H. Gordon and Alice Mary Brandreth. He was educated at Eton College and Trinity College Cambridge....
, M.A. - 1933 Neville Stuart TalbotNeville Stuart TalbotNeville Stuart Talbot was born at Keble College, Oxford on 21 August 1879 and died on 3 April 1943. He was a bishop in the Church of England.-Family:He was the third child and second son of his parents...
, D.D., Bp. - 1943 Robert Henry HawkinsRobert Henry HawkinsRobert Henry Hawkins was a priest of the Church of England and Canon of Windsor.-Family and education:Hawkins was the son of Francis Henry Albert Hawkins Robert Henry Hawkins (3 March 1892 - 19 September 1989) was a priest of the Church of England and Canon of Windsor.-Family and education:Hawkins...
, M.A. - 1958 Douglas Russell FeaverDouglas Russell FeaverDouglas Russell Feaver was a bishop in the Church of England who was known for his rudeness and for not always saying the right thing.-External links:*...
, M.A. - 1973 Michael James JacksonMichael James JacksonMichael James Jackson was a priest and canon in the Church of England. He was born in 1925 and died in 1995.Jackson was baptised on Michaelmas Day in 1925 in St. Michael's Church, Somerton where his father was the vicar....
, M.A. - 1991 James Edward McKenzie Neale, B.A.
- 2004 Andrew Gilchrist Deuchar B.Th (Priest in charge)
- 2009 Christopher Harrison (Priest in charge)
- 2011 Christopher Harrison (appointed Vicar)
Laying on of hands
It was at St. Mary's that the practice of laying on of handsLaying on of hands
The laying on of hands is a religious ritual that accompanies certain religious practices, which are found throughout the world in varying forms....
by a Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
during a Confirmation service was first observed ca. 1760 and documented by Thomas Newton
Thomas Newton
Thomas Newton was an English cleric, biblical scholar and author. He served as the Bishop of Bristol from 1761 to 1782....
Bishop of Bristol
Bishop of Bristol
The Bishop of Bristol heads the Church of England Diocese of Bristol in the Province of Canterbury, in England.The present diocese covers parts of the counties of Somerset and Gloucestershire together with a small area of Wiltshire...
. This laying on of hands was done by John Gilbert, Archbishop of York
Archbishop of York
The Archbishop of York is a high-ranking cleric in the Church of England, second only to the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of York and metropolitan of the Province of York, which covers the northern portion of England as well as the Isle of Man...
.
Bronze doors
The bronze doors were designed in 1904 by Henry WilsonHenry Wilson (architect and designer)
Henry Wilson was a British architect, jeweller and designer.-Career:He was born at 91 Red Rock Street in West Derby near Liverpool on 12 March 1864....
in memory of his father-in-law, Revd. Francis Morse
Francis Morse
Francis Morse, M.A. born 18 May 1818, died 18 September 1886 was a priest in the Church of England.-Family:Francis Morse was the son of Thomas Morse and Elizabeth of Blundeston, Norfolk. He was educated at Shrewsbury School and St John's College, Cambridge....
.
The intention of the design of the doors is to illustrate the Life of Our Lord in its relation with the Holy Mother to whom the church is dedicated and by the general treatment to suggest the idea of pity.
In the tympanum enclosed within a vesica the Holy Mother supports and cherishes the body of Christ, while in the spandrels, on either side, the gates of Death and Life are suggested: the Dove, typifying the spirit, enters weary into the one and issues strong-winged from the other, thus symbolising the unending round of Death and Life.
The dedicatory inscription "In loving memory of Francis Morse, 1818-1886, Father, Pastor, Friend" in the form of a pierced cresting, divides the tympanum from the doors themselves. These are formed into panels by mouldings of beaten bronze, with angel bosses at the intersections.
On each leaf of the door are five panels, in relief, illustrating the Life of Our Lord, the subjects on the left leaf being “The Annunciation,” with Gabriel appearing at the Virgin’s window in the early morning; “The Visitation,” with the Virgin running to meet her kinswoman. Below these come “The Nativity,” followed by “The Epiphany,” and the lowest panel shows the Salvator Mundi on a Cross of branching vine. At the foot of the Cross stand our first parents, conscious of the fall, while the doves of peace and pardon hover overhead.
The subjects of the panels on the right door of the leaf are “The flight into Egypt”; “The Baptism in the Jordan”; “The entry into Jerusalem”; The three Maries at the Sepulchre”; and “The Resurrection.” In this panel the Saviour is shown emerging from the tomb and while still bound with the grave clothes, the Spirit of Life, in the form of a Dove, flies to His breast, and overhead the birds sing at the coming of a new Dawn.
Other features
The church has a fine collection of late VictorianVictorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
windows by many famous makers, including Kempe
Charles Eamer Kempe
Charles Eamer Kempe was a well-known Victorian stained glass designer. After attending Twyford School, he studied for the priesthood at Pembroke College, Oxford, but it became clear that his severe stammer would be an impediment to preaching...
, Burlison and Grylls
Burlison and Grylls
Burlison and Grylls is the name of an English company who produced stained glass windows from 1868 onwards.The company of Burlison and Grylls was founded in 1868 at the instigation of the architects George Frederick Bodley and Thomas Garner. Both John Burlison and Thomas Grylls had trained in the...
and Hardman & Co.
Hardman & Co.
Hardman & Co., otherwise John Hardman Trading Co., Ltd., founded 1838, began manufacturing stained glass in 1844 and became one of the world's leading manufacturers of stained glass and ecclesiastical fittings...
.
It is also known for its octagonal mediæval font with a palindromic
Palindrome
A palindrome is a word, phrase, number, or other sequence of units that can be read the same way in either direction, with general allowances for adjustments to punctuation and word dividers....
Greek inscription NIΨONANOMHMATAMHMONANOΨIN
Nipson anomemata me monan opsin
Nipson anomēmata mē monan opsin , meaning "Wash the sins, not only the face," or "Wash my transgressions, not only my face," is a Greek palindromic phrase which was inscribed upon a holy water font outside the church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople...
(Wash my transgressions, not only my face), and a rather battered alabaster
Alabaster
Alabaster is a name applied to varieties of two distinct minerals, when used as a material: gypsum and calcite . The former is the alabaster of the present day; generally, the latter is the alabaster of the ancients...
tomb fragment which portrays a lily crucifix and a Nottingham Alabaster
Nottingham Alabaster
Nottingham alabaster is a term used to refer to the English sculpture industry, mostly of relatively small religious carvings, which flourished from the fourteenth century until the early sixteenth century...
panel depicting Archbishop Thomas Becket
Thomas Becket
Thomas Becket was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by both the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion...
.
Internal dimensions are from west to east from north to south (across the transepts).
The tower stands 126 feet (38.4 m) above ground level.
The church today
St Mary's has a wide ministry to many different groups. It is the Civic Church to the City of NottinghamNottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
. In the past, the election of the town mayor took place in the church and this tradition continues with a welcome to the new Lord Mayor of Nottingham
Lord Mayor of Nottingham
The Lord Mayor of Nottingham is a largely ceremonial role for the city of Nottingham, England. The position was historically Mayor of Nottingham; this was changed to Lord Mayor in 1928. The current Lord Mayor of Nottingham for 2010/2011 is Councillor Brian Grocock...
in a service held each summer.
It is the University Church for the University of Nottingham
University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
and several schools and organisations hold annual services here.
In recent years, in addition to its function as a place of worship, St Mary's is the venue for a wide range of concerts and public performances, and is home to the Nottingham Bach Choir.
The assistant curate at St Mary's takes the ancient title 'Lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, lecturer is a position at a university or similar institution, often held by academics in their early career stages, who lead research groups and supervise research students, as well as teach...
', the post is currently held by Revd. Stephen Morris.
The church retains the Book of Common Prayer
Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer is the short title of a number of related prayer books used in the Anglican Communion, as well as by the Continuing Anglican, "Anglican realignment" and other Anglican churches. The original book, published in 1549 , in the reign of Edward VI, was a product of the English...
, the traditional Liturgical colours
Liturgical colours
Liturgical colours are those specific colours which are used for vestments and hangings within the context of Christian liturgy. The symbolism of violet, white, green, red, gold, black, rose, and other colours may serve to underline moods appropriate to a season of the liturgical year or may...
and the principal services are sung by a robed choir.
St. Mary's retains the historic practice of celebrating the Eucharist at a High Altar Ad orientem
Ad orientem
In the Catholic liturgy the expression ad orientem is the eastward orientation of a priest celebrating Mass. This orientation has been described as the "cosmic sign of the rising sun which symbolizes the universality of God."...
with priest and people facing eastwards, rather than the contemporary practice of Versus populum
Versus populum
Versus populum is the liturgical orientation in which the priest celebrates Mass facing the people. The opposite orientation, whereby the priest faces in the same direction as the people, is often called ad orientem , even if the priest is not in fact facing the east.From the middle of the...
having the priest facing the congregation.
Vicarage
The vicarage of St. Mary's was formerly at Washington House on High PavementHigh Pavement
High Pavement is a street in Nottingham, England. It is one of the earliest streets in the city, and most of its buildings are listed.-History:...
, but with the increasing industrialisation of the Lace Market
Lace Market
The Lace Market is an historic quarter-mile square area of Nottingham, England.Once the heart of the world's lace industry during the days of the British Empire, it is full of impressive examples of 19th century industrial architecture and thus is a protected heritage area...
at the end of the 19th century, the church purchased a new residence opposite the castle gatehouse. This was used as St. Mary's Vicarage until Canon Eddie Neale retired in 2003.
The adjoining property was the rectory
Rectory
A rectory is the residence, or former residence, of a rector, most often a Christian cleric, but in some cases an academic rector or other person with that title...
for St. Peter's Church, Nottingham
St. Peter's Church, Nottingham
St Peter's Church, Nottingham is an Anglican parish church in the city of Nottingham.The church is Grade I listed by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport as a building of outstanding architectural or historic interest....
.
A joint parish house has now been purchased in The Park Estate.
Notable burials in St Mary's
- John Samon, Mayor of Nottingham, 1416
- Thomas Thurland, Mayor of Nottingham, 1473
- John Holles, 1st Earl of ClareJohn Holles, 1st Earl of ClareJohn Holles, 1st Earl of Clare was an English nobleman.He was the son of Denzel Holles of Irby upon Humber and Eleanor Sheffield...
1637 - John Holles, 2nd Earl of ClareJohn Holles, 2nd Earl of Clare-Family:He was born in Haughton, Nottinghamshire, the eldest son of John Holles, 1st Earl of Clare and Anne Stanhope, and the brother of Denzil Holles, 1st Baron Holles....
1666 - Eleanor Fitzwilliam, Countess of Tyrconnell, 1681, daughter of John Holles, 1st Earl of ClareJohn Holles, 1st Earl of ClareJohn Holles, 1st Earl of Clare was an English nobleman.He was the son of Denzel Holles of Irby upon Humber and Eleanor Sheffield...
- Lady Jane, Dowager Countess of Valentia 1683/4, widow of Francis Annesley, 1st Viscount ValentiaFrancis Annesley, 1st Viscount ValentiaFrancis Annesley, 1st Viscount Valentia PC was an English statesman during the colonisation of Ireland in the seventeenth century. He was a Member of Parliament for both the English and Irish houses, and was elevated to the Irish peerage as Baron Mountnorris, and later Viscount Valentia.-Rise to...
, daughter of Sir John StanhopeSir John StanhopeSir John Stanhope was an English knight and landowner and father of the 1st Earl of Chesterfield.He was appointed Postmaster General to Queen Elizabeth on 20 June 1590....
. - Chambre Brabazon, 5th Earl of MeathChambre Brabazon, 5th Earl of MeathChambre Brabazon, 5th Earl of Meath PC was an English nobleman and politician.He was admitted to Trinity College, Dublin, on the 10 October 1667. He was the captain of a troop of horse in Ireland, and was Paymaster of Ireland in 1675. Between 1692 and 1695, he sat in the Irish House of Commons...
1715 - Lady Mary Brabazon, daughter of Chambre Brabazon, 5th Earl of MeathChambre Brabazon, 5th Earl of MeathChambre Brabazon, 5th Earl of Meath PC was an English nobleman and politician.He was admitted to Trinity College, Dublin, on the 10 October 1667. He was the captain of a troop of horse in Ireland, and was Paymaster of Ireland in 1675. Between 1692 and 1695, he sat in the Irish House of Commons...
1737 - Thomas BerdmoreThomas BerdmoreThomas Berdmore was dentist to King George III. He was born around 1740 and died in 1785.He may have been apprenticed to Mark Skelton of Sheffield, Surgeon, in 1755 for the sum of £85...
, dentist to King George III 1785 - George AfricanusGeorge AfricanusGeorge John Scipio Africanus was a West African negro slave who became a successful entrepreneur in Nottingham.-Early years:The early life of George Africanus is obscure. Calculating his birth year from his burial certificate, he was probably born in 1763...
1834 - Robert AldridgeRobert AldridgeRobert Aldridge was an English clergyman.-Life:Born at Burnham in Buckinghamshire, Robert Aldridge was educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge, where he was a Fellow from 1564 to 1567. From 1576 to 1616 he was Rector of Wollaton 1576-1616, and from 1 May 1578 to 1616 Vicar of St. Mary's...
, Vicar of St. Mary's (1598–1616)
Bells
There are twelve bells in the ring.- Treble Eijsbouts AstensisRoyal Eijsbouts bell foundryRoyal Eijsbouts is a bell foundry located in Asten, Netherlands.The workshop was founded in 1872 by Bonaventura Eijsbouts as a "factory for tower clocks." In 1893 Eijsbouts was joined by his 15 year old son, Johan, and the workshop expanded to begin supplying striking and swinging bells, which...
me fecit Anno MCMLXXX. The Society of Sherwood Youths gave me. "Their sound is gone forth unto all lands". Canon M.J. JacksonMichael James JacksonMichael James Jackson was a priest and canon in the Church of England. He was born in 1925 and died in 1995.Jackson was baptised on Michaelmas Day in 1925 in St. Michael's Church, Somerton where his father was the vicar....
, Vicar, S. Yarnell and E. Mottram, Churchwardens. (E) Eayre and Smith. - 2nd Eijsbouts AstensisRoyal Eijsbouts bell foundryRoyal Eijsbouts is a bell foundry located in Asten, Netherlands.The workshop was founded in 1872 by Bonaventura Eijsbouts as a "factory for tower clocks." In 1893 Eijsbouts was joined by his 15 year old son, Johan, and the workshop expanded to begin supplying striking and swinging bells, which...
me fecit Anno MCMLXXX. The Parochial Church Council gave me. "God is gone up with a merry noise". Canon M.J. JacksonMichael James JacksonMichael James Jackson was a priest and canon in the Church of England. He was born in 1925 and died in 1995.Jackson was baptised on Michaelmas Day in 1925 in St. Michael's Church, Somerton where his father was the vicar....
, Vicar, S. Yarnell and E. Mottram, Churchwardens. (E) Eayre and Smith. - 3rd C. & G. Mears, Founders, London, Recast 1856. J.W. Brooks, Vicar. W. Dearden, J. Coope, Churchwardens. Recast Gillett & JohnstonGillett & JohnstonGillett and Johnston is a clock and formerly bell manufacturing business in Croydon, England.-History:William Gillett started a clock making business on Union Road in Croydon, England in 1844. Charles Bland became a partner in 1854 and the company became known as Gillet and Bland. In 1877, Arthur...
, Croydon, 1935. - 4th Raised by Scrope BeardsmoreScrope BerdmoreScrope Berdmore D.D. was an English clergyman.-Life:His father was Samuel Berdmore and his mother was Martha Scrope. He matriculated from Merton College, Oxford in 1724, gained his BA in 1728, MA in 1732, BD in 1738 and Doctor of Divinity in 1742.He followed his father as Vicar of St. Mary's...
, Vicar DD. Richd Lambert and John Wyer, Churchwardens. The Hon'able Wm. Howe & John Plumtree Esqrs - Members for the Town Subscription, 1761. Lester & Pack Fecit. Recast, Gillett & JohnstonGillett & JohnstonGillett and Johnston is a clock and formerly bell manufacturing business in Croydon, England.-History:William Gillett started a clock making business on Union Road in Croydon, England in 1844. Charles Bland became a partner in 1854 and the company became known as Gillet and Bland. In 1877, Arthur...
, Croydon, 1935. - 5th By Subscription. Revd. Scrope BeardsmoreScrope BerdmoreScrope Berdmore D.D. was an English clergyman.-Life:His father was Samuel Berdmore and his mother was Martha Scrope. He matriculated from Merton College, Oxford in 1724, gained his BA in 1728, MA in 1732, BD in 1738 and Doctor of Divinity in 1742.He followed his father as Vicar of St. Mary's...
DD. Vicar. G. Browne, H. Ward, J. Burgess Ch. Wardens. 1765. Sodales Musici Nottinghamiensis Restaureverunt. Lester & Pack of London Fecit. Recast Gillett & JohnstonGillett & JohnstonGillett and Johnston is a clock and formerly bell manufacturing business in Croydon, England.-History:William Gillett started a clock making business on Union Road in Croydon, England in 1844. Charles Bland became a partner in 1854 and the company became known as Gillet and Bland. In 1877, Arthur...
, Croydon, 1935. - 6th By Subscription Revd. Scrope BeardsmoreScrope BerdmoreScrope Berdmore D.D. was an English clergyman.-Life:His father was Samuel Berdmore and his mother was Martha Scrope. He matriculated from Merton College, Oxford in 1724, gained his BA in 1728, MA in 1732, BD in 1738 and Doctor of Divinity in 1742.He followed his father as Vicar of St. Mary's...
DD. Vicar. G. Browne, H. Ward, J. Burgess Ch. Wardens. 1765. Intactum Sileo Percute, Dulce Cano. Lester & Pack of London Fecit. Recast Gillett & JohnstonGillett & JohnstonGillett and Johnston is a clock and formerly bell manufacturing business in Croydon, England.-History:William Gillett started a clock making business on Union Road in Croydon, England in 1844. Charles Bland became a partner in 1854 and the company became known as Gillet and Bland. In 1877, Arthur...
, Croydon, 1935.
- 7th Sustio Voce Pios Tu Iesu Dirige Mentes Venite Exvitimus. (I. Edwards, I. Sweetaple. Churchwardens 1699. Recast Gillett & JohnstonGillett & JohnstonGillett and Johnston is a clock and formerly bell manufacturing business in Croydon, England.-History:William Gillett started a clock making business on Union Road in Croydon, England in 1844. Charles Bland became a partner in 1854 and the company became known as Gillet and Bland. In 1877, Arthur...
, Croydon, 1935. - 8th Robert Aldredg, Vicar, Ralphe Shaw, Henrie Allvie, Wardens. 1613. Recast Gillett & JohnstonGillett & JohnstonGillett and Johnston is a clock and formerly bell manufacturing business in Croydon, England.-History:William Gillett started a clock making business on Union Road in Croydon, England in 1844. Charles Bland became a partner in 1854 and the company became known as Gillet and Bland. In 1877, Arthur...
, Croydon, 1935. - 9th Hee Campana Sacra Filet Trinitate Beata. W. Sturrup, T. Graye. Wardens. 1690. Recast Gillett & JohnstonGillett & JohnstonGillett and Johnston is a clock and formerly bell manufacturing business in Croydon, England.-History:William Gillett started a clock making business on Union Road in Croydon, England in 1844. Charles Bland became a partner in 1854 and the company became known as Gillet and Bland. In 1877, Arthur...
, Croydon, 1935. - 10th In noe ihu xpi ome genu fleetat celestm trestriu et infroru. R.A.V. M.G. 1605. W.L. Recast Gillett & JohnstonGillett & JohnstonGillett and Johnston is a clock and formerly bell manufacturing business in Croydon, England.-History:William Gillett started a clock making business on Union Road in Croydon, England in 1844. Charles Bland became a partner in 1854 and the company became known as Gillet and Bland. In 1877, Arthur...
, Croydon, 1935. - 11th Tu Tuba Sic Sonitu Domini Conduco cohortes. Richard Hunte Major, Nicholas Sherwyn, Richard Iohnson, Iohn Gregorie, Robert Alvie, Peter Clarke, Humfrey Bonner, Richard Morehaghe, Anker Jackson, Aldermen, 1595. Also four impressions of the coat of arms of Elizabeth I alternating with four signs of the Henry Oldfield foundry.
- Tenor Revd. Scrope BeardsmoreScrope BerdmoreScrope Berdmore D.D. was an English clergyman.-Life:His father was Samuel Berdmore and his mother was Martha Scrope. He matriculated from Merton College, Oxford in 1724, gained his BA in 1728, MA in 1732, BD in 1738 and Doctor of Divinity in 1742.He followed his father as Vicar of St. Mary's...
DD. Vicar. G. Browne, H. Ward, I. Burgess, Ch. Wardens. 1765. I will sound and resound unto thy people, O Lord, With my sweet voice, and call them to thy word, I tole the tune that douleful is to such as live amiss, But sweet my sound seems unto them who hope for joyful Bliss. Lester & Pack of London Fecit. Recast Gillett & JohnstonGillett & JohnstonGillett and Johnston is a clock and formerly bell manufacturing business in Croydon, England.-History:William Gillett started a clock making business on Union Road in Croydon, England in 1844. Charles Bland became a partner in 1854 and the company became known as Gillet and Bland. In 1877, Arthur...
, Croydon, 1935.
Music
Choir
St Mary's has a choir of some standing. Under the leadership of John Keys, the Choir of St Mary’s is regarded as one of the county’s finest.There are three choral services a week – Wednesday Evensong, Sunday Eucharist and Sunday Evensong.
Renowned for its versatility and wide repertoire it performs music from plainsong through to world premieres, performs regularly in concert on its own and with St Mary’s resident orchestra, The Orchestra of the Restoration. Organ and Choral Scholarships are available to students in full-time higher education.
Organ
The Organ is by Marcussen & SønMarcussen & Søn
Marcussen & Søn, known as Marcussen and previously as Marcussen & Reuter, is a Danish firm of organ builders.They were one of the first firms to go back to classical organ-building techniques, and have been producing mechanical-action organs since 1930...
of Denmark and was installed in 1973. It has 25 speaking stops and is a very small organ for a church of this size.
Link to details of the organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.
Organists
There are records of organs in the church in the late sixteenth and early 17th centuries, but no record of any of the organists from this period has been found.| Date | Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 1704–1712 | Thomas Rathbone | (d.1712) |
| 1712–1755 | William Lamb | (d.1755) |
| 1756–1802 | Samuel Wise | (c.1730-1802) Formerly Organist of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Newark-on-Trent Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Newark-on-Trent The Church of St. Mary Magadalene, Newark-on-Trent is a parish church in the Church of England in Newark-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire.The church is Grade I listed by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport as a building of outstanding architectural or historic interest.-Building:It is notable for... and Southwell Minster Southwell Minster Southwell Minster is a minster and cathedral, in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, England. It is six miles away from Newark-on-Trent and thirteen miles from Mansfield. It is the seat of the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham and the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham.It is considered an outstanding... |
| 1802 - ???? | John Pearson | (c.1754-1832) Organist until at least 1818 |
| ???? - 1831 | John Pearson | (c.1790-1831) date of appointment unknown but before 1825 |
| 1831–1836 | William Aspull | (1798–1875) |
| 1836–1867 | Charles C Noble | (1812–1885) Formerly Organist of St Martin's Church, Stamford St Martin's Church, Stamford St Martin's Church, Stamford is a parish church in the Church of England located in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England. The area of the town, south of the River Welland, was in Northamptonshire until 1889 and is called Stamford Baron or St Martin's.-History:... , Latterly Organist of St. Ann's Church, Nottingham |
| 1867–1904 | James Arthur Page FRCO | (1846–1916) |
| 1904–1914 | William Frederick Dunnill William Frederick Dunnill William Frederick Dunnill was an English cathedral organist, who served in St. Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham.-Background:He was born in Wakefield, Yorkshire on 16 March 1880. He was the son of Jeremiah Dunnill and Pollie... FRCO ARCM |
(1880–1936) Formerly Organist of Christ Church, Surbiton and St. Luke's Church, Bromley, Latterly Organist of Birmingham Cathedral St Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham The Cathedral Church of Saint Philip is the Church of England cathedral and the seat of the Bishop of Birmingham. Built as a parish church and consecrated in 1715, St Philip's became the cathedral of the newly formed Diocese of Birmingham in the West Midlands in 1905... |
| 1914–1922 | Frank Radcliffe MusDoc FRCO | (1883–1922) Formerly Assistant Organist of Manchester Cathedral Manchester Cathedral Manchester Cathedral is a medieval church on Victoria Street in central Manchester and is the seat of the Bishop of Manchester. The cathedral's official name is The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Mary, St Denys and St George in Manchester... and Organist of St. Wulfram's Church, Grantham St. Wulfram's Church, Grantham St Wulfram's Church, Grantham is a parish church in the Church of England in Grantham in Lincolnshire.In his book, England's Thousand Best Churches, Simon Jenkins describes St Wulfram's Church as having the finest steeple in England.-Spire:... |
| 1922–1928 | Vernon Sydney Read ARCM FRCO | (1886–1980) Formerly Organist of Holy Trinity Church, Lenton Holy Trinity Church, Lenton Holy Trinity Church, Lenton is a parish church in the Church of England.The church is Grade II* listed by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport as it is a particularly significant building of more than local interest.-History:... , Latterly Organist of St. John's Church, Torquay |
| 1928–1954 | Henry Oswald Hodgson FRCO | (1886–1975) |
| 1954–1956 | David James Lumsden David Lumsden (musician) Sir David James Lumsden PhD, DPhil, MA, MusB, FRCM, FRNCM, FRSAMD, FLCM, FRSA, Hon RAM, Hon FRCO, FKC .*Choirmaster, organist and harpsichordist,**St Mary's Church, Nottingham, 1954–1956**Southwell Minster 1956-1959,... MA DPhil BMus HonFRCO |
(b.1928) Formerly Assistant Organist of St. John's College, Cambridge, Latterly Organist of Southwell Minster Southwell Minster Southwell Minster is a minster and cathedral, in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, England. It is six miles away from Newark-on-Trent and thirteen miles from Mansfield. It is the seat of the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham and the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham.It is considered an outstanding... and New College, Oxford New College, Oxford New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always... |
| 1957–1967 | Russell Arthur Missin Russell Arthur Missin Russell Arthur Missin was an English cathedral organist, who served in Newcastle Cathedral.-Background:He was born in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire on 15 July 1922... ThD FRCO(CHM) ADCM LTCL |
(1922–2002) Formerly Assistant Organist of Ely Cathedral Ely Cathedral Ely Cathedral is the principal church of the Diocese of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, England, and is the seat of the Bishop of Ely and a suffragan bishop, the Bishop of Huntingdon... and Organist of St. Mary's Church, Thetford, Holbeach Parish Church and All Saints' Church, Oakham All Saints' Church, Oakham All Saints' Church, Oakham is a parish church in the Church of England in Oakham, Rutland.-History:The spire of Oakham parish church dominates distant views of the town for several miles in all directions... , Latterly Organist of Newcastle Cathedral Newcastle Cathedral St Nicholas's Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Its full title is The Cathedral Church of St Nicholas Newcastle upon Tyne... |
| 1967–1983 | David Sheeran Butterworth MA MusB FRCO(CHM) | (b.1946) Latterly Organist of St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Mansfield St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Mansfield St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Mansfield is a parish church in the Church of England located in Mansfield, Nottingham.The church is Grade I listed by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport as a building of outstanding architectural or historic interest.... and St. Mary's Church, Clifton St. Mary's Church, Clifton St. Mary's Church, Clifton is a parish church in the Church of England in Clifton, Nottinghamshire.The church is Grade I listed by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport as a building of outstanding architectural or historic interest.-History:... , Nottingham |
| 1984 - | John Anthony Keys John Keys (organist) John Keys , is a well-known British organist who was brought up and educated in Chester. On completion of his schooling, he was assistant organist at Chester Cathedral for 3 years, before becoming an organ scholar at New College, Oxford. There he was taught by Gillian Weir and Nicholas Danby... MA LRAM ARCM ARCO |
(b.1956) Formerly Assistant Organist of Chester Cathedral Chester Cathedral Chester Cathedral is the mother church of the Church of England Diocese of Chester, and is located in the city of Chester, Cheshire, England. The cathedral, formerly St Werburgh's abbey church of a Benedictine monastery, is dedicated to Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary... and Holy Trinity Church, Geneva and Organist titulaire Eglise de St. Jean, Geneva |
Organ Scholars
- David Gostick 1997–1998 (now organist of Wimborne Minster)
- Alistair Kirk 1998
- Richard Leach 1999–2000
- Simon Williams 2000–2003
- Chrisopher Burton 2003–2004
- Jamal Sutton 2004–2005
- Nicola Harrington 2005
- Ben Lewis-Smith 2006–2007
- Simon Williams 2007–2009
- Max Puller 2009–2010
- Dominic Wong 2010-2011