Jane Nattrass, Chaplain to the Butchers’ Guild
I’ve been serving as a priest in York for seven years and am Priest-in-Charge of seven busy churches in and around the city centre of York – All Saints Pavement, St Denys, St Helen, St Martin, St Olave, Holy Trinity Micklegate and St Lawrence.
I was born in Carlisle, Cumbria where my family were butchers. My father, Joseph, was Master of the Guild of the Butchers of York in 1994 and I come from a long line of butchers. My great, great grandma Jane Nattrass was a butcher in Carlisle in 1853. I was delighted to be asked to be Chaplain to the Guild when I arrived in York. This photo is at Jacob’s Well where the Guild meets regularly. I am also chaplain to the Merchant Adventurers’ and Cordwainers’ Guilds.
Jacob’s Well is the parish room for the Priory Church of the Holy Trinity in Micklegate. It was originally a late medieval house consisting of an open hall with a two-storey cross-wing on the East (Trinity Lane) side. This is an unusual medieval building and not one found elsewhere in York. The history of this place and my family connection with the butchers makes Jacob’s Well a very special place for me.
The story of Jacob’s Well in the Bible is found in John’s Gospel. Jesus, a Jew, had an encounter with a Samaritan woman. He asked her for a drink and a conversation ensued about living water springing up to eternal life. It is very appropriate that Jacob’s Well today is a meeting place for so many.
My Place is a section where people share places that are significant in their lives. If you would like to take part in My Place, simply email your photo and a text of up to 250 words to johnbrucemullin@hotmail.com
