St Mary’s started work on its major improvement scheme, which will cost over £1 million, in June 2021. It has secured a generous legacy as well as grants from Allchurches Trust, an unnamed Trust established in the name of an internationally successful Hull-born businessman, the Diocese of York, the Joan Tottle Trust and the National Churches Trust.

St Mary’s has been fundraising for several years for desperately needed interior work to ensure the church can stay open. Known as an ‘Oasis of Peace at the Heart of Our City’, St Mary’s is without heating, toilets and kitchen facilities and needs new electrics and a new floor. Despite that, it is home to a dedicated congregation and choir and to three soup kitchens a week operated by volunteers Hull Homeless Outreach.