St Mary's Church, Cloughton with Burniston

A letter from the Vicar 

Welcome to the website of the Parish of St Mary the Virgin, Cloughton with Burniston. These are vibrant villages where there is more going on than you may think. St Mary’s has a congregation that reaches up into the 30’s. This may not sound a lot, but these are lovely people who are welcoming, supportive and look out for each other. We long to share hospitality to all who come through the door of the church.

Over the 40 years I have been a priest, I have never really experienced a fellowship like it. I love coffee time when people will stay and linger for what seems like ages. Such is the friendliness of this faith-community. These are a people who really care for each other. Recently we have been welcoming new members which is all very exciting.

We are a church that is growing. Indeed, we have plans to start a new all age monthly service particularly aimed at children.

The present church building dates back to 1832 which replaced an earlier chapel of ease that dated back to the 14th century. Before 1834 when a new parish was formed, Cloughton and Burniston were part of the parish of Scalby. The church was restored again in 1889.

When sitting in the Vicar’s stall for Morning and Evening Prayer during the week, I think about the people who have attended the church down the years: those who have come and knelt before the altar to receive the Body and Blood of Christ; the myriads of feet who have stepped into that sacred place; the weary souls who have found solace and left with their burdens lightened; all who have been baptised in the font or married at the altar, or whose bodies rested before their funeral. 

St Mary’s is a church graced by the prayers of the Christians who have lived and worshipped here. When I kneel for daily prayer, I feel a deep connection with all who have gone before. And here we are today – Christians who continue to live Christ’s story - meeting week by week in the knowledge that we follow and bear witness to a God of deep compassion who says in the liturgy of the Book of Common Prayer: ‘Come unto me all that travail and are heavy laden and I will refresh you’. Matt 11:28.

May God Bless you and those you love.

Canon Chris Coates

Vicar of Cloughton with Burniston, Ravenscar with Staintondale