St Ninian & St Andrew

St Ninian’s & St Andrew’s is situated in the Avenues area of Hull.

The earliest church register dates back to 1643. Although the line of descent of the present congregation from the early Presbyterians contains some twists and turns, we can look back on 350 years of presbyterian presence in Hull.

The 1640’s and 1650’s were years of religious turmoil in England as the authority of established Anglican church collapsed. In Hull, by 1650, Holy Trinity church had been divided with Presbyterians worshiping in the nave and Independents in the chancel. Both these groups were ejected in 1669 when the Anglican church was reinstated.

The register of 1643 reflects the struggles of the early Nonconformists and their search for premises. Many led itinerant existences moving between rented places of worship.

In the course of the 18th century, various splits occurred within Presbyterianism and by the end of the century few distinctively Presbyterian congregations remained. Thus when large numbers of Scots moved to England seeking work, they found no familiar church.

It was such a group of Scots who met to set up a congregation. In 1864 proposals to build a new church were discussed and a move out of the Old Town was agreed. The new building on Spring Bank was dedicated in 1875.

Unfortunately it was not long before problems with the building encouraged another move in 1931, to the newly built suburbs of Chanterlands Avenue. The church opened in 1932. The building has served for 80 years as a place of worship.

The last 40 years have seen two important events in the history of the church. In 1972 the Presbyterian Church of England and the Congregational Union in England and Wales came together to form the United Reformed Church. In 2005 the Hull Area Team was formed.
We are proud to be part of the Inclusive Church organisation and earlier in 2017 became the first church in East Yorkshire to be registered for same sex marriages, the first service for which was held in June.