The Proprietary New or Baxtergate Chapel, was built between 1776-1778; it has been known as St Ninian’s since 1864.
Built by the men from the shipyards, who had built the ships used by Captain James Cook and William Scoresby, it was financed by 30 local wealthy people; 29 men and 1 woman.
Although it was never owned by the Church of England, it was licensed in 1778 by William Markham, Archbishop of York, to conduct Church of England Rituals, until this licence was withdrawn in 1998 by the then Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope.
St Ninian’s is believed to be the only surviving Proprietary Chapel in Yorkshire.
It is now classed as “Closed for regular public worship”; ie a church without a vicar or priest, or regular congregation.