Anne Lister themed costumed welcome at Holy Trinity Goodramgate

Holy Trinity Church, York, North Yorkshire

Meet and mingle with some of the parishioners who knew Anne Lister during her lifetime

On 30 March 1834, Anne Lister and Ann Walker came to Holy Trinity Goodramgate to take Holy Communion together and celebrate the commitment they had made to each other.

To celebrate that event, we invite you to meet and mingle with some of the parishioners who knew Anne during her lifetime. We know that Anne Lister was aware of them since she mentioned them her diaries. They may well have been taking communion alongside her and Ann Walker on Easter Sunday in 1834.

Come along and meet Mr Jonathan Gray, of Gray’s Court.  He was Anne and Ann’s solicitor - the ‘York’ solicitor. Anne had a second solicitor to deal with her business affairs in Halifax, but Mr Gray dealt with the more personal matters including sorting out both her and Ann Walker’s wills. He, his children and his grandchildren were all baptised at Holy Trinity. Anne’s relationship with Gray’s Solicitors lasted in excess of 15 years and was very close at times. They even assisted in bringing Anne’s body back to Halifax after her death.

Mr William Hubie might well be in hiding. He is a Cabinet Maker from Ogleforth, who has had the misfortune to take an order for a bed from the indecisive and exacting Miss Lister. He has had many visits to his workshop to discuss requirements – all logged in Anne’s famous diary. 

Mrs Bell will be there too – formerly Miss Rebecca Nicholson of Nicholson and Bell Drapers and Silk Merchants. She and her family have been connected with Holy Trinity all her life – baptised here, married here and, sadly, her first husband lies in the graveyard. She has sold Anne all manner of things over the years - stockings, blankets, and silk.  There is some dispute over the quality of Mrs Bell’s stockings – as Anne was seemingly forever mending them, but Anne kept coming back. Just one week before their visit to Holy Trinity, Anne and Ann popped in to buy a blanket.

As an extra special treat  -  in afternoon, we are also expecting Anne and Ann to join us.

Drop in any time between 11am and 4pm. Free (donations welcome).