Byker: St Lawrence
Overview
Grid reference: NZ 265 641
This brick church, vaguely Romanesque in style, is rather severe in character chiefly due to the small windows and the steeply pitched roofs. At the west end, the apse has particularly small, rectangular windows - three at the top of each wall. The apse roof is level with the south aisle. Above it, and beneath, the nave gable is a comparatively large round window, slightly recessed. Flat gabled pilaster buttresses reach to eaves level, one each side of the apse.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave with south aisle and transept; chancel and south chapel. The north aisle and transept were never built and only in the 1950's were windows inserted on that side.
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was built by William Dodds to the design of Messrs. Hicks & Charlewood of Newcastle in 1909. An apse was added at the west end as a baptistery in 1936.
Exterior Description
This brick church, vaguely Romanesque in style, is rather severe in character chiefly due to the small windows and the steeply pitched roofs. At the west end, the apse has particularly small, rectangular windows - three at the top of each wall. The apse roof is level with the south aisle. Above it, and beneath, the nave gable is a comparatively large round window, slightly recessed. Flat gabled pilaster buttresses reach to eaves level, one each side of the apse. There is a similar pair at the east end, where there are more and larger windows - three tall and round-headed, separated by narrow brick mullions; and, above a string course, three more, the central one being slightly taller than the other two. The south aisle and chapel have a simple pattern of windows, round-headed and in pairs, separated by shallow brick buttresses. At the west end is a doorway, and there is one in the south transppt, where there are two taller windows, and two smaller above the string course, The clerestory has single windows, five in the nave and four in the chancel. There is an octagonal bell-turret on the nave roof, small but attractive on such a plain building. (There was a spire of over 27 feet, but it had to be taken down).
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
The only Stained Glass is in the lights of the east wall of the chancel and depicts St. Anthony of Egypt with a scene from his life below; Christ in Majesty, with St. Nicholas and seamen below St. Lawrence,with the preparation of the gridiron below.
Interior
Interior Description
The spacious interior is typical of the work of Hicks and Charlewood, notably the uninterrupted view of the chancel from practically any position. There is no division between chancel and nave and the principal roof extends unbroken over the entire structure. The sense of spaciousness is accentuated by the scale of the aisle arches which extend to a considerable height, There are four bays, the brick arches being supported on round stone columns with scalloped capitals. The clerestory is small in proportion. The easern most arch of the nave which marks the return of an incipient transept extends practically to the roof level. The illusion of a transept thus formed on the south side of the church is an intersting feature of the building.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
Pitchpine
Reredos
Panelled and crested. The central panel has a canopy carved in relief above the free-standing cross. Either side of this is a canopied niche that extends upwards through the cresting in three tiers, ending in a pinnacle, and then a further pair of niches.
Lectern
Wood.
Abacus
19th Century
The oak pulpit is set on the far north side of the nave. It is low and 18th century in character, although made in the 19th century. It was originally at Croft, near Darlington, and brought to the church in 1912.
Font (object)
It is made of grey-green terrazzo; and the elaborate cover, about eight feet high, is of wood, gilded and painted.
Organ (object)
There is a two-manual organ by Revd. Cartwright and Son. It was second-hand when installed.
Churchyard
Grid reference: NZ 265 641
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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