History of St Mary’s

Where are we?

Bolsterstone is a small village bordering Stocksbridge and Deepcar, approximately 10 miles North West of Sheffield City Centre. Click here for a location map.

St Mary’s parish church at Bolsterstone, Sheffield

War Memorial

Bolsterstone Male Voice Choir window

Bolsterstone is a small Pennine village situated above the steel town of Stocksbridge. The present church was built between 1872 and 1878 at the instigation of the then vicar William Reginald Wilson, as the existing church, the Bland church which was built in 1791 was considered ugly, barn-like, cold and draughty! Bolsterstone’s first positively identified Chapel was funded by Sir Robert de Rockley in 1412.

St Mary’s church has suffered a few mishaps over the years. In 1974 the church closed temporarily because dry rot and woodworm had made the Nave roof unsafe. The roof was repaired but later in the same year one of the four tower pinnacles was blown through the new roof causing further problems. For safety reasons the remaining three pinnacles were removed quite dramatically by helicopter. In 1989 an extension for a meeting room and toilet was added to the church. We are fortunate to have a ring of eight bells and a keen team of tower bell ringers. Teams of ringers from other churches visit to ring our bells. St Mary’s also has a team of hand bell ringers which play on public and charity occasions.

Bolsterstone did have a church school until this was deemed to be too small, and in July 1992 it was closed; followed shortly afterwards by the Village Shop and Post Office. The ‘school’ is now the Village Hall with a thriving community group.

Nowadays, St Mary’s is a welcoming friendly church with lay participation in leading prayers, Bible reading, assisting in Holy Communion, and providing the offering of bread. Refreshments are served after the 10.45am Sunday morning service. We try to involve families as much as possible and welcome children of all ages. We welcome parties by prior arrangement and regularly host visits by school groups on History or Religious Education lessons.

The vicar offers preparation for Baptism and Weddings and we have an open Baptism policy, inviting all those who want to be a member of God’s church an opportunity to do so. We are an inclusive church and warmly welcome people from other churches and the community.

We are partners with the Methodist Church in Stocksbridge Christian Centre at Cedar Road, an ecumenical project which offers a slightly more informal style of worship.

Flowers: We offer a flower arranging service for weddings, funerals and other occasions. A team of arrangers volunteer their services, a small charge is made and this goes towards the church. Every three years we have held a Flower Festival, organised by a group/committee who choose the theme - usually from the bible - and followed through with floral arrangements in the church created by church members and friends of St Mary’s. This popular event is normally held over the three days of the August ‘Bank Holiday’ weekend.

Who are we?

Vicar: Reverend Kevin Barnard

Churchwardens: Mrs Pam Helliwell

Mr Peter Fearnley

Deputy Warden: Mr Stephen Varley

Pro-Warden: Miss Charlotte Bridger

Secretary to the Parochial Church Council: Mrs Decia White

Treasurer: Mrs Barbara Caswell

Verger and Sexton: Mr Stuart Ashton

Organist: Mr Roger Easthope

Members of the Parochial Church Council:

Mrs S Ashton

Miss C Bridger

Mrs S Caswell

Mr D Domican

Mr W Fieldsend

Mr K Gwilym

Mrs P Helliwell

Mr S Varley

Mr J Williams

Mrs A Ashworth

Mrs S Casson

Mrs M Derbyshire

Mr P Fearnley

Mrs A Gwilym

Mr G Helliwell

Mrs C Sawdon

Mrs D White