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And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Author: Bible
Source: Matthew (ch. VII, v. 25)


The church was built in 1890-1 by Smith . Brodrick and Lowther sadly it was demolished in 1982

KIND PERMISSION OF BULMERS GAZETTER 1892

St. Mary's Church, in Wilton Street, is designed in the Early English style of architecture, and consists of a nave 65 feet by 22 feet wide, with north and south aisles, 10 feet wide, which terminate at the east end in side chapels. The sanctuary has a circular apse, and is divided from the nave by a lofty arch, resting on a cluster of polished marble shafts, with richly carved capitals, of Early English pattern, and moulded bands and bases. The nave is divided on either side from the aisles by an arcade of four bays of moulded arches and labels on stone columns. In the spandrils of the arches are circular panels with angels in attitudes of devotion, and above the arcade is a clerestory lighted by lancet-shaped windows. The nave is laid with wood blocks, in a herringbone pattern, whilst the sanctuary is laid with encaustic tiles, and the steps to the pridella are of polished Sicilian marble. The altar rails are of white Ancaster stone, with polished alabaster rails. There are a large sacristy and two confessionals. The six windows of the sanctuary are filled with stained glass. The high altar consists of arcaded niches, containing six large statues of saints. The pulpit, which is a very fine one, and the font are of Ancaster stone, beautifully carved and enriched with green marble columns. The west elevation is the principal feature. The two stone doorways are under one deeply recessed moulded brick arch, in the centre of which is a representation of Our Lord, crowned with thorns, and on either side spandrils of richly carved foliage. Over this arch is a crocketed gable, in the apex of which is a carved niche, containing a statue of the Madonna and Child. Rising above this there is a deeply recessed triplet window, with stone columns and carved capitals. The church will accommodate 500 persons, and cost £2,000. It was built in 1890-1, from designs of Messrs. Smith & Brodrick, and Mr. Arthur Lowther, the joint architects. A new organ was added in February, 1892. Adjoining the church are the schools which, until the erection of the present church, were used for the dual purposes of a school and chapel. It is a neat red brick structure, in the Early English style.
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a page from Hull Trades and Professions by Alphabetical Street (1892), Letter W shows the names of catholic priests has the church opened in 1891 one wonders if this was the names of the churches first priests

Wilton street (Holderness road)

• 1 Hollingworth John, L.S.A.
• 2 Simpson Mrs.
• 3 Gichrist William, clerk
• 4 Kemp Thomas, foreman
• 5 Foster Rev. John (Primitive Methodist)
• 6 Stout Henry, foreman
• 6 Stout Miss Eliz., milliner
• 7 Walker Rev. Arthur, missionary
• 8 Dickens Matthew, grocer
• 10 Lowe Mr. John
• 11 Mawer Thomas, night soil contractor
• 13 Bingley John, shipwright
• 14 Milson Mrs. Ann
  • here is Dansom lane
• St. Mary's (Catholic) Church
• Griffin Rev. Jas. (Catholic)
• D'Hooge Rev. Augustine, St. Mary's presbytery
• 16 Richmond Thos., commercial traveller
• 17 Sizer Richard, millwright
• 19 Scirlett Alf., Edward, plater
• 20 Downs Watson, haberdasher
• 21 Kendrew Rev. Wm. (Wesleyan)

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Stella Robinson says that;
Mrs Bickerstaff was a big part of St Marys`s, she played the church organ for all the services such as Mass/Confirmations/weddings/funerals etc.,
The Bickerstaffs lived down Royston Grove and every day Mrs Bickerstaff went to Mass, makes me wonder how many people can say they love the church as much as she did.

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