Welcome to the Friends of St. Martin’s
St. Martin’s is the perfect High Victorian Church, and was built in response to the rapid urban development of the South Cliff that had taken place since 1845.
The church was designed by George Frederick Bodley from Hull. He was commissioned by Miss Mary Craven, a spinster, also originally from Hull, whose generosity ensured the success of the project. Bodley employed the newly formed firm of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner and Company to complete the decoration and stained glass, and the church was consecrated in July 1863.
The windows exhibit designs by William Morris, Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Philip Webb and Ford Madox Brown, while the pulpit and east wall are decorated with paintings designed by Rossetti, Morris and Burne-Jones.
The form and furnishings of the church are the product of the medievalism of Victorian art. St. Martin’s remains today the physical and spiritual heir to the love of ritual and worship inspired by the Oxford Movement of the 1840s. The church represents an increasingly precious inheritance in art, history and worship.
Free guided tours of the Pre-Raphaelite glass and decorations
Our popular church tours take place every Tuesday & Thursday at 11 am, running from February until November. Tours last about an hour. Please come and go as you please.
A range of publications, postcards, and posters is available from the “Friends Shop” located near the south door.
Beggars Belief Café
You can now sit and have tea or coffee with homemade cake whilst soaking up the beautiful surroundings of the church. Beggars Belief café is open Friday and Saturday from 11 am – 4 pm. Toilets and baby changing facilities are available.
St Martin’s is open for Sunday service at 9.30 am
Tuesday (BCP) 10 am Wednesday (Said Eucharist) 10 am
The church is open for viewing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday
11 am – 4 pm, when the cafe is also open
About the Group
The Friends Group, formed in 2013 as part of the 150th Anniversary Celebrations, supports St Martin’s by;
- Bringing together people with a personal or family connection to the Church, visitors and members of the public who wish to contribute to the preservation of this nationally important building.
- Encouraging visitors and helping them appreciate the significance of the Church, particularly the art and craftsmanship, in its religious and historical context.
- Fundraising to help the Parochial Church Council meet the high cost of maintaining this 19th century building, and ensuring that it meets the needs of a 21st century congregation.
Subscription Rates
The minimum annual subscription is;
Individual Membership: £25.00
Family Membership: £40.00
Individual Life Membership: £100.00
Corporate Membership: £120.00
Arrangements for individuals or organisations wishing to become patrons can be individually negotiated.
If you wish to join, download the membership form here.
If you prefer to give us a donation the gift aid form can be downloaded here.
For further enquiries please email fosm.members@gmail.com
Please note that this site is still under construction. An alternative email address to contact, especially about guided tours (see Events page), is mchlbrtft@gmail.com
