About Us
Howden Minster
Howden Minster stands at the heart of the historic market town of Howden, East Yorkshire. The parish comprises Howden and the surrounding villages and hamlets, including Barmby-on-the-Marsh, Asselby, Knedlington, Belby, Howden Dyke, Skelton, Kilpin, Balkholme and Sand Hall.
Brief History
Howden Minster was built in the Middle Ages by the Prince Bishops of Durham to serve the people of Howdenshire. Following the Reformation, the Minster suffered considerable damage. The townspeople retained the nave as their parish church, while the East End was left to fall into ruin. The ruined East End is now in the guardianship of English Heritage.
Major restoration work was carried out between 2006 and 2011, helping to secure the future of this remarkable building.
Worship and Music
We seek to serve the whole local community, offering a variety of styles of worship. Sunday worship is usually a Sung Eucharist (1st-3rd Sundays), and Morning Prayer (4th Sunday), both using Common Worship, while the 1662 Book of Common Prayer is used for midweek Communion on Thursday mornings and for our monthly Choral Evensong. Messy Church is regularly held on the 3rd Sunday.
The Minster has one of the finest three-manual organs in the area and a robed choir affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM). Music forms an important part of our worship and life together. We also support the arts and regularly host a variety of concerts and musical events.
Our Wider Parish
Howden Minster is part of the Howdenshire Benefice, together with St Peter's, Laxton; St John of Beverley, Wressle; St Stephen's, Newport; Holy Trinity, Blacktoft; and St Michael's, Eastrington.
At present, we are in vacancy without a regular priest. The pattern of worship continues with the help of visiting clergy, a Licensed Lay Minister and two Authorised Lay Ministers. The Revd Andy Broom, formerly Archdeacon of the East Riding, will be licensed as Rector of the Howdenshire Benefice in late November.
We also have strong links with our local Church of England Infant School in Howden.
Visiting Howden Minster
The Minster is usually open every day during daylight hours. If you are planning a special journey to visit us, however, please contact us beforehand, as funerals, concerts and other events sometimes mean that the Minster is unavailable to visitors.
The exterior of the ruined East End, which is in the guardianship of English Heritage, can be viewed at any reasonable time.
The town's municipal car parks are free on Sundays.
Weddings, Funerals and Baptisms
Howden Minster is in regular use for weddings, funerals and baptisms. To make enquiries about any of these while we are in vacancy, please contact the Ministry Team on [email protected] or 07777 124656.