Gateshead: St Mary
Overview
Grid reference: NZ 254 636
The earliest parts of the present building are a window in the north wall of the chancel and the south doorway, both of which seem to be Norman, the doorway probably of c.1200 since it shows Transitional features.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West tower, nave of five bays, the four equal bays with aisles and the wider east bey opening into transepts; south porch; chancel with two-storeyed building on north side and organ chamber.
Description of Archaeology and History
The earliest parts of the present building are a window in the north wall of the chancel and the south doorway, both of which seem to be Norman, the doorway probably of c.1200 since it shows Transitional features. Some areas of cubic ashlar may also belong to this date. The rest of the church is basically fourteenth-century (for example, the arcades) with fifteenth-century alterations (the nave roof and, probably the transepts and clerestory). All the windows have been renewed which makes dating difficult. In 1764 the roof of the tower was altered and spirelets were removed from the corners. In 1810 the vicar, the Revd. Mr. Prossor repaired the chancel and removed the triple sedilia and piscina. The church was thoroughly restored at a cost of £1.200 in 1838-9. On 6 October 1854 a fire and explosion occurred nearby which seriously damaged the church and it was restored at a cost of £1,600 by John Dobson of Newcastle in time to be re-opened on 23 September 1855. At this time the chancel was almost completely rebuilt and numerous other repairs were effected. The church was again restored in 1875, when the tower arch was opened and the orgen chamber built; further work was undertaken in 1907-12, and in 1952-3 about £2,000 was spent on repairs to the stonework. The interior, particularly of the chancel, was renovated at a cost of £20,000 in 1961-2. The church was re-opened on 6 October 1962.
Exterior Description
On 29 May 1739, the anniversary of the return of King Charles II from exile, the foundation stone of a new tower was laid. The new tower had three stages and was said to be taller than the old one. In the lowest stage, which was much the tallest, a west doorway was provided (which has now been removed), and a window above was replaced by one in more mediaeval style during one of the nineteenth-century restorations. This stage, which is much the tallest of the three, has rusticated quoins at the angles. The middle stage is quite shallow, set back from that below above a moulded cornice and itself divided from the top stage by a second moulded cornice which ourves up over the clock face in each wall (although no clock face was actually provided on the east). The uppermost stage has a big, rather shallow aedicule in each face with a round arch in the centre filled with louvres and a pediment against the parapet above. The pyramidal slated roof within the parapet is a later addition, there having formerly been pinnacles ("spires") on the angles of the parapet which are a sad loss, leaving the parapet as rather an abrupt conclusion to the steeple. The weathervane dates from 1897.
The nave has been much rebuilt and all the windows are nineteenth century in date, although they probably represent what was there before. The aisles each have a three-light window in the west well and then a blank area of stonework until the north and south doors are reached, the latter being sheltered by a porch. The south doorway is Transitional Norman in style, with a round arch and the nutmeg decoration typical of Durham, but mouldings round the arch and slender nookshafts which are more Early English in feeling. The porch is quite large, roughly square on plan and has a straight parapet and a four-centred outer doorway closed by gates. The north doorway is quite plain.
The remaining bays of the nave are quite simple, with substantial buttresses dividing one from another and each with Perpendicular three light windows under slightly curved heads with moulded hoods returning horizontally at each end. The windows have panel tracery. The clerestory windows are of a similar style but each of two lights, and the slender buttresses here rise above the straight parapet into elegant crocketted pinnacles. The transepts are broad with, like the nave, very low-pitched roofs and plain moulded parapets. Both have large five-light transomed windows in the gabled walls but are blind to each and west, although the south transept has outlines of two blocked windows in the east wall. The north transept now opens eastwards into the organ chamber.
The chancel was rebuilt by Dobson in his typical rather unscholarly Decorated style. It is long in comparison with its width, of three bays with three- light windows in the east and west bays and a doorway surmounted by a window in the middle bay on the south, the windows with intersecting tracery. The doorway is sheltered by a small stone roofed porch. The bays are divided by straightforward buttresses with two off-sets. The east gable has a large five-light window with geometrical tracery of quite unmediaeval type under a moulded hood.
On the north side of the chancel is a large ancillary building which is now to all appearances Georgian. It has two storeys and is entered either from the church or by an iron staircase against the outer wall of the organ chamber at the upper level. The windows are all domestic in character, rectangular with sashes provided with astragals. This is still known as The Anchorage. In 1340 the Bishop of Durham granted a license to the Rector of Brancepeth to build a habitation for an anchoress in this churchyard, and the present building is thought to occupy its site. It has more recently been school, and a room over the vestry is mentioned as such in 1693. It ceased to be used as a school in about 1870 and is now the choir vestry.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
South chancel II : Scenes connected with the early history of Gateshead, given in 1899 by the Master and brethern of King James' Hospital; local figures of the time were represented as characters in the window.
Stained Glass
1876
South transept south: St. Peter, St. Paul, St. John, St. James and St. Jude, by Kempe, 1876, replacing a window of 1819.
Stained Glass
South aisle: one window has a piece of Renaissance glass and another three fragments of mediaeval glass purchased at Tours in 1937
Stained Glass
1927
South aisle west : St. Ebba and The Venerable Bede.
Stained Glass
1927
North aisle west: St. Aidan and St. Hilda.
Stained Glass
1965
North transept north: a window of 1965 replaced one showing Abraham, Moses, David, Cyrus and Elijah, 1875
Stained Glass
1876
West window: four transomed lights, 1876 by Kempe, representing four musician angels below and King Alexander of Scotland, an Archbishop of York, A Prior of Tynemouth and Gilbert de Unfraville.
Interior
Interior Description
It appears that the tower after its rebuilding did not communicate with the church except by a doorway, for in 1876 the present tall and dignified arch with four plain chamfers running from the floor to the apex was inserted. The west window was also provided at the same time and the space thus enhanced became the baptistery. The upper floors are reached by an ock spiral staircase on the north side. The nave arcades are carried on tall octagonal pillars of elegant proportions with moulded bases but no capitals, their tops merging into the double-chamfered arches which they carry. The clerestory windows are within plain reveals. The low pitched roof of the nave (which is almost flat) is of Perpendicular date with a good series of foliate bosses along the intersections of the ridge with the principals. It continues as far as the chancel arch. The eastern arches of the arcades are four-centred and are wider than the rest since they open into the transepts. The north transept in turn has an arch in the east wall opening into the organ chamber. The chancel arch appears to be part of Dobson's rebuilding and has two chamfers which die into the responds at each side; its proportions are not as stately as those of the tower arch, but it is outlined by a moulded hood. Since 1929 it has been crossed by an oak screen.
The chancel is narrower than the nave, but quite long, and is furnished with stalls on each side with a tiled alley between in which are set white marble octagons inscribed with texts. On the south side are the three windows and doorway already mentioned and on the north an arch opens into the organ chamber. This also gives access to the vestries below the Anchorage. In the wall at this point are two round arches set quite low, the reason for which remains obscure. In the north wall of the chancel, blocked by the Anchorage, is the round-headed window which is said to be part of the Norman building on this site. Its proportions and the thick roll-moulding which surrounds it so evenly are, to say the least, of doubtful antiquity. The sanctuary was re-arranged in 1962 with a free-standing altar. The chancel roof has now disappeared entirely.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
1962
The altar is of carved oak.
Pulpit
c.1910
The pulpit is octagonal, of oak with linenföld panels on a flared wooden base; it has a vine trail cornice.
Lectern
The lectern is a brass eagle.
Font (object)
1838
The font was given by Archdeacon Thorp in 1838 and has his coat of arms in one panel of the bowl.
Churchyard
Grid reference: NZ 254 636
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
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