Masses, Socials,

Events, & Calendar

Celebrating Mass in the beautiful 'Hidden Chapel' at the Bar Convent in York.

Masses

Middlesbrough Diocese LGBT+ Ministry celebrates Mass with an explicit welcome to members of the LGBT+ community, their families, friends, and allies. All are welcome to the celebration of the Eucharist.

We gather at 3.00pm on the second Sunday of every month at The Bar Convent in York.

Liturgy & Community

Our worship is enhanced by an excellent group of musicians from Our Lady's Church in nearby Acomb.

If you would like to volunteer as a musician, reader, server, or extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, please speak to one of the presiding priests or member of the Pastoral Council.

The Masses take place in the 'hidden chapel' at the historic Bar Convent in York, thanks to the generosity of the Sisters of the Congregation of Jesus. It is the oldest continuously operating house of a religious congregation in Britain. The Bar Convent has a long history of offering sanctuary, and began its life to support minorities suffering persecution by civil and religious authorities at the time.

​Mass is followed by the opportunity for relaxing conversations and social time in the beautiful Georgian atrium of the Bar Convent.

The atrium of the Bar Convent.

Socials

In addition to the tea and coffee served after Masses, the Ministry has a social gathering at 12 noon on the last Saturday of each month (except December) at the Bar Convent café. All are welcome to come along for a coffee, or a meal, and friendship.

The Ministry also organises occasional social outings, for example to a museum or art gallery, and each December we enjoy a Christmas Dinner. Details are announced via our email newsletter.

Our Ministry Christmas Dinner, December 2024.

2026 Calendar

• January
  • Sunday 11th: Mass at the Bar Convent Chapel, 3pm
  • Saturday 31st: Social at the Bar Convent Café, 12pm

• February
  • Sunday 8th: Mass at the Bar Convent Chapel, 3pm
  • Saturday 28th: Social at the Bar Convent Café, 12pm

• March
  • Sunday 8th: Mass at the Bar Convent Chapel, 3pm
  • Saturday 28th: Social at the Bar Convent Café, 12pm

• April
  • Sunday 12th: Mass at the Bar Convent Chapel, 3pm
  • Saturday 25th: Social at the Bar Convent Café, 12pm

• May
  • Sunday 10th: Mass at the Bar Convent Chapel, 3pm
  • Saturday 30th: YORK PRIDE FESTIVAL (no social at Bar Convent Café)

• June
  • Sunday 14th: Mass at the Bar Convent Chapel, 3pm
  • Saturday 27th: Social at the Bar Convent Café, 12pm

• July
  • Sunday 12th: Mass at the Bar Convent Chapel, 3pm
  • Saturday 25th: Social at the Bar Convent Café, 12pm

• August
  • Sunday 9th: Mass at the Bar Convent Chapel, 3pm
  • Saturday 29th: Social at the Bar Convent Café, 12pm

• September
  • Sunday 12th: Mass at the Bar Convent Chapel, 3pm
  • Saturday 26th: Social at the Bar Convent Café, 12pm

• October
  • Sunday 11th: Mass at the Bar Convent Chapel, 3pm
  • Saturday 31st: Social at the Bar Convent Café, 12pm

• November
  • Sunday 8th: Mass at the Bar Convent Chapel, 3pm
  • Saturday 28th: Social at the Bar Convent Café, 12pm

• December
  • Sunday 13th: Mass at the Bar Convent Chapel, 3pm
  • Date TBC: Christmas Dinner at the Bar Convent Café  (no social last Saturday of this month)

Getting to the Bar Convent

​The Bar Convent is only a 5-minute walk from York Railway Station, and York is well connected by train to the rest of Britain.

The entrance to the Bar Convent is from Blossom Street. On Sundays the Bar Convent is generally closed, but the front door opens for us from 2.30pm.

Access
The Bar Convent is wheelchair accessible. The chapel is on the first floor, accessible by lift. The chapel has a hearing-loop for the hard of hearing.

Car Parking
All Saints School have installed paid parking facilities in their car park at the weekend. The charge is £2.00 per hour. Payment is by phone and not cash. It is cheaper than the Nunnery Lane Car Park opposite. However, if you drive in your registration number is taken and you will be fined if you don't pay. This is a decision made by the school and not by The Bar Convent.

Those travelling to York from a long distance might like to consider staying at The Bar Convent which has excellent B&B facilities.