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St Mary, Potto

St Mary, Potto

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The first Anglican church building in Potto was opened on 3oth June 1893, largely due to the efforts of the Revd. John Cowley Fowler, Vicar of Whorlton from 1890 until his death in 1916 and author of "The Ancient Saxon Parish of Whorlton in Cleveland". This building, a comfortable and surprisingly commodious 'Mission Room', was built in wood materials and served the community well until an electrical fault caused a spectacular fire which totally demolished it on 7th September 1936.

The present site was generously given to the Parish by Mrs. Kyle of Potto Grange, whose husband was the famous Vicar of Carlton and Faceby and later Canon of York Minster, from 1894 until his death in 1943. The foundation stone was laid on 1st June 1938 in the presence of Harry, Bishop of Whitby and a congregation of some 500.

The first service to be held in the Church was the Harvest Thanksgiving in October 1939 although, because of the Second World War, there was no proper dedication service at that time. This was to be rectified some 21 years later when the Bishop of Whitby, Philip Wheeldon, conducted a special service of Blessing on 3rd May 1960.

Because of the shape of the plot, the church had been built in a North/South direction so that an East window was clearly inappropriate. Instead, a special three panel mural was commissioned from Norman S. Carter, an artist from Essex. In a letter to the Vicar, Revd. Barker, the artist explained that the depiction of the infant Christ and his Mother had been difficult for him. "Of all the people in the Universe, these two are the most difficult to paint. The Madonna is in an attitude of making her offering to the World, and looking down at the Christ Child, who is supported by Her in an attitude foreshadowing His Crucifixion. She is looking down, but He is looking up, which is characteristic of His earthly life. In the hill of Calvary, on the Jerusalem panel, note the cavities in the cliff, giving the appearance of a skull. 'Golgotha' - the place of a skull. Those who have been there tell me that in some lights they have seen the skull shape more clearly than I have ventured to show it."

We look forward to welcoming visitors and parish residents, whatever their age, to our services in St Mary and the other churches of the Benefice.
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Revd. Linda Shipp
Whorlton Vicarage
18 Church Lane
Swainby
NORTHALLERTON
North Yorkshire
DL6 3EA
Tel: 01642 701777
  • Regular Services and Events
  • Other Events
Printer friendly list of events

Sunday

Holy Communion
Book of Common Prayer (said service)
Every second Sunday at 8:00 AM
Family Friendly
Benefice Children's Service - in Holy Cross Church, Swainby
Adults are welcome at this service, especially if accompanied by a child! Juice served afterwards.
Alternate months (Jan/Mar/May(Rogation)/Jul/Sep/Nov) on first Sunday at 10:30 AM
Family Friendly
Evening Prayer
Book of Common Prayer (with hymns)
Every first Sunday at 6:00 PM
Ends Sunday 4th April 2010.
Resumes Sunday 6th June 2010
Family Friendly

Tuesday

Pram Group - in Swainby & Potto C of E Primary School, Claver Close, Swainby
All those with young children are very welcome.
Every second Tuesday at 2:00 PM
Printer friendly list of events
Deanery Lent Service - in Great Ayton Parish Church
Sunday 21st March 2010 at 7:00 PM
Lent Lunch [6] - in Swainby Village Hall
Soup, bread & cheese lunch No charge is made, although we do ask for a donation to the charity chosen by the organiser. In aid of HART
Wednesday 24th March 2010 at 12:00 PM for 1½ hours
"Open Door" - in Whorlton Vicarage, Swainby
Fellowship and discussion - a relaxed group discussing current Church/World issues of their choice.
Wednesday 24th March 2010 at 7:00 PM for 2 hours
Coffee
Annual Parochial Church Meeting - in Holy Cross Church, Swainby
Sunday 28th March 2010 at 11:00 AM
Deanery Lent Service - in St Timothy's Church, Hemlington
Sunday 28th March 2010 at 6:00 PM
Holy Week: Holy Communion
Book of Common Prayer (said service)
Monday 29th March 2010 at 7:00 PM
Car Wash & Coffee - at Potto Grange
by Alex, Kit & Hugo Rogers. Spruce up for Easter! £3.00 in aid of Swainby Church Hall Development Fund Phone Alex for appointment 01642 700646 or 07507 355410
Tuesday 30th March 2010 at 9:00 AM
All Day Event
Coffee
Holy Week: Holy Communion - in Holy Cross Church, Swainby
Common Worship Order One in Modern Language (said service)
Tuesday 30th March 2010 at 7:00 PM
Car Wash & Coffee - at Potto Grange
by Alex, Kit & Hugo Rogers. Spruce up for Easter! £3.00 in aid of Swainby Church Hall Development Fund Phone Alex for appointment 01642 700646 or 07507 355410
Wednesday 31st March 2010 at 9:00 AM
All Day Event
Coffee
Holy Week: Holy Communion - in St Mary Magdalene Church, Faceby
Common Worship Order One in Modern Language (said service)
Wednesday 31st March 2010 at 7:00 PM
Car Wash & Coffee - at Potto Grange
by Alex, Kit & Hugo Rogers. Spruce up for Easter! £3.00 in aid of Swainby Church Hall Development Fund Phone Alex for appointment 01642 700646 or 07507 355410
Thursday 1st April 2010 at 9:00 AM
All Day Event
Coffee
Maundy Thursday: Benefice Service - in St Botolph's Church, Carlton
Passover Meal with Holy Communion
Thursday 1st April 2010 at 7:00 PM
Good Friday: Benefice Service - in Holy Cross Church, Swainby
There will be readings, meditations, hymns and short periods of quiet reflection before receiving communion in one kind (wafer only). The last part of the service (15 mins. approx.) will be a period of silent prayer. A large wooden cross will be set up in the chancel and those who wish may kneel beside it during this final period. You are most welcome to come to all, or any part, of this service.
Friday 2nd April 2010 at 1:00 PM for 2 hours
Easter Sunday: Holy Communion - in Holy Cross Church, Swainby
Common Worship Order One in Modern Language
Sunday 4th April 2010 at 10:30 AM
Family Friendly Coffee
Afternoon Teas - in Swainby Village Hall
Enjoy a round of sandwiches, a wide selection of home-baked cakes and a pot of freshly brewed tea. In aid of the Swainby Church Hall Development Fund.
Sunday 11th April 2010 at 2:30 PM for 150 minutes
Family Friendly
PCC Meeting
Tuesday 13th April 2010 at 7:30 PM
Benefice Rogation Service & BBQ - at Coulbeck Grange Farm, Sexhow Road
Sunday 2nd May 2010 at 10:30 AM
Family Friendly
Holy Communion - in Holy Cross Church, Swainby
Common Worship Order One in Modern Language
Sunday 2nd May 2010 at 6:00 PM
Family Friendly
PCC Meeting
Tuesday 11th May 2010 at 7:30 PM
"Open Door" - in Whorlton Vicarage, Swainby
Fellowship and discussion - a relaxed group discussing current Church/World issues of their choice.
Wednesday 26th May 2010 at 7:00 PM for 2 hours
Coffee
Joint Benefice Holy Communion - in Holy Cross Church, Swainby
Common Worship Order One in Modern Language
Sunday 30th May 2010 at 9:15 AM
Family Friendly Coffee
PCC Meeting
Tuesday 8th June 2010 at 7:30 PM
PCC Meeting
Tuesday 13th July 2010 at 7:30 PM
"Open Door" - in Whorlton Vicarage, Swainby
Fellowship and discussion - a relaxed group discussing current Church/World issues of their choice.
Wednesday 28th July 2010 at 7:00 PM for 2 hours
Coffee
Joint Benefice Holy Communion - in St Mary Magdalene Church, Faceby
Common Worship Order One in Modern Language
Sunday 29th August 2010 at 9:15 AM
Family Friendly
PCC Meeting
Tuesday 14th September 2010 at 7:30 PM
"Open Door" - in Whorlton Vicarage, Swainby
Fellowship and discussion - a relaxed group discussing current Church/World issues of their choice.
Wednesday 29th September 2010 at 7:00 PM for 2 hours
Coffee
PCC Meeting
Tuesday 12th October 2010 at 7:30 PM
Joint Benefice Holy Communion - in Holy Cross Church, Swainby
Common Worship Order One in Modern Language
Sunday 31st October 2010 at 9:15 AM
Family Friendly Coffee
PCC Meeting
Tuesday 9th November 2010 at 7:30 PM
"Open Door" - in Whorlton Vicarage, Swainby
Fellowship and discussion - a relaxed group discussing current Church/World issues of their choice.
Wednesday 24th November 2010 at 7:00 PM for 2 hours
Coffee
PCC Meeting
Tuesday 14th December 2010 at 7:30 PM
Joint Benefice Holy Communion - in St Botolph Church, Carlton
Common Worship Order One in Traditional Language
Sunday 30th January 2011 at 9:15 AM
Family Friendly
Regular Book of Common Prayer Services Wall paintings / art Guidebooks / notes Church Open Assistance Dogs Visitor Parking Available
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Other information
A Church Near You ID: 19357
Built: 1939
Style of worship: Central
Our Patron: Mrs Pauline Kynge
Archdeaconry: CLEVELAND (433)
Deanery: STOKESLEY (43306)
Benefice: Whorlton w Carlton and Faceby (43/402BX)
Parish Legal Name: WHORLTON (430577)