The History ofSt Mary's Church
About the Parish
St.Mary’s church stands prominently at a main entrance to the city centre. Our Parish encompasses a deprived inner city area but also bustling international restaurants, workshops and student accommodation, less than a mile to city centre and mainline rail station and only 15 minutes’ drive from the Peak District.
Since 1830 St.Mary’s, like society and the area as a whole, has undergone huge changes, envisioned throughout by worshipping Christ, nurtured by scripture and conscious of our call to serve our Parish.
Learn about our history
2018
Rev Claire Dawson 2016-
2008
Helen Whitakers stained glass window and pilgrim statues installed.
2001 - MAY
Building re-opened
2000
Work began on refurbishment.
Congregation met at Sheffield United.
1999 - NOVEMBER
New Millennium Green opened.
1990
Rev. Julian Sullivan 1980- 2016.
1989
Hillsborough Disaster.
1988
St Barnabas declared redundant, St Mary’s becomes a Parish church.
1984-85
Miners Strike
1978
Rev. John Alec Smith.
1977
Joins St Barnabas Parish and St Mary’s becomes a Chapel of Ease again.
1975
Rev Anthony Richard Lowe-priest in charge.
1969
Compulsory purchase of land for the ring road and re-siting of main gates.
1963
Rev. Leonard George Edward Hancock.
1959
Demolition of War memorial Institute and building of Bowling Green and Club House.
1958
Compulsory purchase of land for road improvements.
1957
St Mary’s officially reopens on March 13th.
1956
The Community centre opened on September 17th.
1955
Sold Leadmill Mission, Franklin Street & Hermitage Street to fund rebuild.
1952
New design approved for rebuild & new Rev. Stephen Burnett.
1948
Rev. Samuel Henshaw
1946
St Marys and St Simons merged.
1941
Rev. James Paulin
1940
Roof damaged in Blitz.
1939
Stained glass window removed for safety.
1929
Canon William Bracewell 1929-41
1928
Equal voting rights for women.
1926
General strike
1925
New vicarage Thornsett Road
1924
Rev. Thomas Wilson
1920
Rev. Reginald Percy Crabbe
1918
House on Countess Road becomes War memorial Institute.
1915
Sheffield Corporation took over management of the churchyard.
1912
Stainless steel invented.
1908
Last burial (total 27,088)
1904
Electric lights installed.
1902
Canon William John Cole
1898
Open air street services take place
1893
Rev. Robert Henry Hammond
Sheffield becomes a City
1888
Rev. Robert Bibby De Wolf
1880
Closed for general burials
1877
Rev. Abbot Roland Upcher
1866
Rev. Charles Edward Lamb
1864
Old vicarage sold and New vicarage built Kenwood Park Road.
1856
Bessemer steel invented
1846
St Mary’s becomes a new parish and 1st marriage takes place.
1841
Sheffield became a Borough
1839
Chartist failed arson attack
1830
St Mary’s dedicated as a Chapel of Ease
1st Priest: Rev. Henry Farish 1829-53
1818
Million Pound Church Act
