Our Lady

Introduction

Our Lady's church in York, within the Diocese of Middlesbrough, was opened on 25th March 1955, the feast of The Annunciation.

History

From 1941, the first Masses of the fledgling parish were celebrated in a primary school in Front Street. In the 1960s, Our Lady's was reordered to follow the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council. In 1982, the parish was transferred from Leeds Diocese to Middlesbrough Diocese. In 2015, the pastoral care of the parish was entrusted to the British Province of Carmelites, with a Carmelite friar appointed parish priest.

In 2017, another Carmelite friar succeeded as parish priest, and in 2019 he transferred to the Diocese of Middlesbrough, ending the Carmelites' pastoral responsibility. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Our Lady's was temporarily closed for public worship and Masses were live-streamed. The Bishop of Middlesbrough dedicated the church and altar on 14th September 2025.

Architecture and furnishings

JH Langtry Langton designed the church. A hearing aid loop system operates in the main church building.

At the back of the church, a Family Corner offers books and toys for children. Car parking is available on site at the rear of the church, with entrance from Cornlands Road.

Music and liturgy

In July 2018 the BBC's Songs of Praise programme recorded the parish singing a dozen hymns, which have featured in several broadcasts since then. The parish has no choir but welcomes singers as cantors or members of the Music Group. The Music Planning Group meets monthly to organise music according to the liturgical calendar, selecting hymns, Mass settings, and other music for all services. The music group leads sung worship at approximately one Sunday morning Mass a month and at significant occasions, with instruments including keyboard, guitar, violin, clarinet, percussion, flute, tin whistle, and singers.

The organ at Our Lady's can be adjusted so that pianists do not have to use the foot pedals. A simple Service of Reconciliation with sacramental absolution is organised every Lent and Advent with visiting priests.

Parish life

In 2018 the parish branch of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society reformed as the Social Volunteering Project to focus on the needs of the local poor. The parish has a weekly collection of food and household items distributed to local families in need at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Primary School. Our Lady's Church contributes to the annual Harvest appeal of Carecent, a charity providing breakfast and support in York city centre.

The RCIA group begins meeting in the Autumn of each year to explore the Catholic faith. The parish supports SVP, RCIA, Liturgy of the Word for Children, and Askham Grange Prison. Every year the parish holds an Annual General Meeting to review the recent past and plan for the future.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Children aged 7 and over are invited to enrol in the parish's preparation programme for First Holy Communion. The First Holy Communion preparation programme lasts for 7 months with a dozen sessions plus a number of special Masses. Children normally celebrate their First Holy Communion after the age of 7 (School Year 3) but there is no upper age limit.

Confirmation for young people aged 14 and over begins each New Year and is normally celebrated around Pentecost. Marriage preparation happens in conjunction with the parish priest or a deacon and is tailored to the needs of the couple. Adults from another Christian denomination interested in being confirmed as a Catholic normally need to enrol in the RCIA programme.

Adults interested in being baptised are invited to enrol in the RCIA formation programme. The RCIA group reflects on what makes Catholic Christianity distinctive through discussion, instruction, and prayer.

Through the ministry of the parish priest and various parishioners, the parish has become connected to chaplaincies including HMP/YOI Askham Grange, HMP Millsike, Foss Park Hospital, York District Hospital, and the Diocese of Middlesbrough's LGBT+. Children's Liturgy groups provide a fun and safe environment for kids to explore their faith in ways appropriate to their age.

Visiting

The church is located on the corner of Gale Lane and Cornlands Road in Acomb, west of York city centre. The main church doors are normally only open for times of worship on Sundays and special occasions. On Sundays visitors are permitted to park at the Priory Medical Centre if the church car park is full. The number 4 bus runs from York city centre via the train station to Acomb Green, stopping on Cornlands Road at the Energise health centre, very near to the church.

Gluten free altar breads are always at the back of the church, to be added to a special paten. Service dogs are very welcome. Toilets are available, including for those with disability. Full access facilities for wheelchairs (access plus disabled toilet).