Church Of St Ninian

The Church of St Ninian is a church, originally built in the 18th century and subsequently altered, located in Baxtergate, Whitby. It is used by the Catholic Church (Western Rite). The western end of the church forms part of the street line. The brick front dates to 1776-8, with a three-sided gallery added in the early 19th century. A further chancel was added around 1890, designed by E H Smales.

The church is constructed of handmade brick in Flemish bond, with an obscured roof covering. It comprises a rectangular nave with internal porches and staircases leading to the three-sided gallery, and an apsidal sanctuary.

The east elevation, facing Baxter Street, features two flights of steps with iron railings leading to the western doorway. The doorcase has an open pediment on consoles with a dentil cornice, a keyblock, and unusual shafts to the jambs; the door itself is 20th century. Large three-light transomed windows with intersecting glazing bars are positioned to the left and right, accompanied by a half-window above the door. A previous bellcote has been removed. The sanctuary features three round-headed windows. Internal lighting for the galleries is provided by probably early 20th century segmental-headed windows on the north and south sides, and from around the early 19th century windows with intersecting glazing bars to the east.

Inside, the galleries on the west, north, and south sides feature panelled fronts supported by stout timber columns. The roof is utilitarian, with king post and strut construction, boarded behind. A round-headed sanctuary arch has spandrels painted with alpha and omega symbols. The apse has a flat ceiling and is top-lit. The 1821 internal porch is a timber-panelled screen with an attractive fanlight with intersecting glazing bars. Gallery staircases feature turned balusters. Surviving 18th century gallery benches are painted light green; notably, one appears to be a one-seater privy positioned on the ritually northern side of a back bench. Other fittings date to the late 19th and 20th centuries, including an English altar. A three-bay timber chancel screen from the early 20th century incorporates round-headed openings, figure niches, and rood figures. A polygonal timber pulpit from the early 20th century is distinguished by its dentil cornice and classical detail. The 1914 font has a large square bowl on a circular stem with corner shafts. Nave benches from the late 19th century have chamfered corners and rounded shoulders, while the choir stalls feature poppyhead finials and pierced, shouldered arches to the frontals.

The oak posts supporting the gallery were supplied by Isaac Allanson, a Whitby mast maker, with workers from his yards assisting in the church's construction when available.

The church is an unusual example of an 18th century brick-fronted building incorporating Gothic window detail and a classical doorway, seamlessly integrated with the street. It retains a good example of a three-sided gallery with panelled fronts. The chancel and apse were added around 1890.