Founded in the late eighteenth century, our parish traces its origins to the era when Catholics in Hull gathered in secret, traveling from places like Burton Constable Hall to attend Mass in a small chapel in Posterngate. This modest chapel was destroyed during the Gordon Riots in 1780, reflecting the turbulent times for Catholics in England.

After periods of private worship, the Catholic community was revitalised around 1798 when Fr Pierre Foucher, fleeing the turmoil of the French Revolution, financed the building of a small chapel on North Street.

Overcoming adversity and prejudice, our present church was built in 1829. The foundation stone was laid in the previous November, and it was designed by local architect John Earle.

As the community grew, our church was widened in 1835 under the guidance of J. J. Scoles, and later, in 1894, underwent a dramatic remodelling by the firm Smith, Brodrick & Lowther. It was during this period that our interior was transformed with richly ornate Italian Baroque and Austrian Rococo decoration—one of the most spectacular of its kind in nineteenth-century England.

We are honoured to be a Grade I listed building, celebrated both for our architectural significance and beautiful interior, lovingly cared for by generations of worshippers.

Today

For nearly two centuries, Saint Charles Borromeo has stood as the mother church of the Catholic community in Hull, from which the other parishes have grown. It remains very much alive today—an active parish within the Diocese of Middlesbrough, offering Mass, sacraments, spiritual formation, and outreach to all.