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The Parish Hall

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Parish Hall from the end of the church yard showing Douglas Fir constructionThe Parish Hall of St Mary's Church of England, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, UK, is situated in the north-east corner of the churchyard. Opened by the Archbishop of York, Dr. John Habgood in October 1994, it was the culmination of eleven years of planning, hard work and disappointments. Eventual success was made possible by the generous and in many cases sacrificial, giving of the people of the Parish in meeting the total cost of £400,000.

The long-held concept of a hall within the church grounds as an instrument of the Church's mission was given a kick-start in 1983, when the P.C.C. supported a feasibility study. First plans were rejected and two years were lost in attempting to buy a little extra land to accommodate a new design. The final design was drawn up to meet the criteria of the Planning Department, which was aware of the sensitivity of the site and the interest that it was creating locally and nationally.

Parish Hall interiorOur church architect, Mr Andrew Anderson of Norwich, designed the fine building we now have. Tucked into the ground to allow a good view of the Church, it is built with hand-made red bricks to blend with the existing listed church wall. The unusual exposed structural timbers are of Douglas fir. The builder was George Houlton & Sons of Hull. Inside the building, the same Douglas fir is used to create a striking feature in the highballed roof. It is a modern building in harmony with the ancient church and its surrounds.

The hall will accommodate 150 people, fewer if tables are used. The kitchen is equipped to cater for 100 people.

The Small Meeting Room

An additional small Meeting Room will hold 25 people.

There are generous toilet facilities, which include a room for disabled people and a nappy changing unit. There is easy access for wheelchairs.

As well as meeting the needs of St. Mary 's groups, the hall is also used for various local meetings, Further Education Classes, conferences, etc.

Further information may be obtained from the Parish Hall Manager:

Bookings are handled by the Parish Hall Bookings' Secretary.

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: 19 July, 2006