A modern church of fairly striking design, serving the northern suburbs of York.

In 1977 a new parish was established in the rapidly expanding parishes of Haxby and Wigginton, to the north of the city centre, and Mass was said in St Mary’s Anglican church, Haxby. A large new church seating 250 was opened by Bishop Harris on 4 May 1995. It was the first church in the diocese to be dedicated to the York martyr St Margaret Clitherow. The architect was John Black of Huddersfield and the builder William Birch & Sons of Leeds; the cost was £300,000. The church was consecrated by Bishop Crowley on 13 March 1999.

Description

Large modern church of asymmetrical composition, externally stone-clad and internally brick-faced. Faceted frontage with Mannerist semi-detached full-height pier at the centre, incorporating roof and small gablets, large window adjoining and behind. Main entrance porch to the right, with shallow roof and supporting struts off a plinth wall, forming a diamond, a recurring motif. The interior is a single well-lit worship space with the asymmetric theme continuing. Steeply boarded pine clad roof; sacristies etc to one side, meeting rooms etc to the other. Altar and sanctuary area raised on a dais of two steps.

There is a large stained glass window depicting St Margaret Clitherow flanked by St Wilfrid and St Hilda at the liturgical west end, by Harry Harvey FMGP. There are no other furnishings of particular note.

Heritage Details