Nominal: 662 Hz Weight: 2036 lbs Diameter: 46.63" Bell 1 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1888
Dove Bell ID: 4814 Tower ID: 14507 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Newcastle: St George
Diocese of Newcastle
Church, 625105
http://www.stgeorgesjesmond.org.ukOverview
Grid reference: NZ 255 667
The church is listed Grade I and stands behind a large green, with the Church Hall (listed Grade II) to the east, in a conservation area. The original threefold composition of the site was disrupted when the Vicarage was demolished in 1969. This was replaced with a new vicarage and a terrace of housing in 1970, following which a Garden of Remembrance was created to the west of the church. The site of the church was carefully chosen by the patron, Charles Mitchell, to harmonise with his house, Jesmond Towers, and its surrounding parkland, and to be strikingly visible when approached from the south, up Osborne Road. Despite the fact that much of Mitchell’s estate has now been turned to housing, the prospect towards the church is still impressive. St George’s tower is a landmark that is visible across Tyneside. A constraint that caused dispute with Mitchell’s partner and neighbour Lord Armstrong, however, remains: to give visual impact, both church and hall are located on the very boundary of the grounds. St.George’s was planned as the first great church of the new Diocese of Newcastle (founded in May 1882). It was the shared brainchild of the donor Mitchell, the architect Thomas Spence and the first incumbent Somerset Pennefather. Much of its significance derives from the way in which these three men, together, articulated in St.George’s the spiritual and cultural aspirations of the time.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Church open weekday mornings. WCs in neighbouring church hall. Parking outside church hall.
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 894 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
St.George’s was planned as the first great church of the new Diocese of Newcastle (founded in May 1882). It was the shared brainchild of the donor Mitchell, the architect Thomas Spence and the first incumbent Somerset Pennefather. Much of its significance derives from the way in which these three men, together, articulated in St.George’s the spiritual and cultural aspirations of the time. For Pennefather, St George’s was an expression of his commitment to mission. The rapid urbanization and industrialization of Tyneside, themselves the main reason for the creation of the new diocese, demanded a response from the Church. St George’s was built to serve a new suburb, but more importantly to express a balanced view of the Christian mission: historically rooted yet forward-looking, sacramentally focused yet scripturally committed. The architectural poise of the building voiced the incumbent’s sense that a new diocese and a changing world required a movement away from the rigid evangelicalism of the Clayton Memorial Church, of which he was vicar when St.George’s was mooted. For Charles Mitchell, St.George’s offered opportunity to demonstrate his commitment to art and architecture, and thus subtly to differentiate himself from his neighbour and partner William Armstrong, who never built a church. The involvement of his son, the artist C.W.Mitchell, especially in the interior decoration of the church, provided a platform for artistic values to be explored and expressed dynastically.
Interior
Interior Description
Complete original glazing scheme, including windows by Spence and J.W.Brown. Pulpit and other woodwork by Ralph Hedley. Marble altar, reredos and font by Emley and Co., Newcastle. Chancel mosaics by Spence and C.W.Mitchell, executed by Rust and Co., London. Mosaic floors also by Rust. Stencilled roof. Wrought iron, brass and copper by Alfred Shirley, London. Outstanding Caen stone west wall screen, including bronze statue of St.George designed by Spence. The complementary nature of the design of all these pieces amount to a bravura display. The only major losses to the original fittings being the wrought iron font cover and brass flambeau lights. Bronze memorial tablet by Frampton. Organ by Lewis and Co. The interior of the church was partially redesigned when a moveable nave altar was introduced in the 1970s (front pews removed, frontal by Leonard Evetts). The Lady Chapel was also reconfigured at this time.
Bells
Nominal: 1322 Hz Weight: 456 lbs Diameter: 26.5" Bell 2 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1888
Dove Bell ID: 32591 Tower ID: 14507 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1243 Hz Weight: 579 lbs Diameter: 27.56" Bell 3 of 8
Founded by John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd 1991
Dove Bell ID: 32592 Tower ID: 14507 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1112 Hz Weight: 553 lbs Diameter: 31.5" Bell 4 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1888
Dove Bell ID: 32593 Tower ID: 14507 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 986 Hz Weight: 694 lbs Diameter: 31.88" Bell 5 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1888
Dove Bell ID: 32594 Tower ID: 14507 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 885 Hz Weight: 880 lbs Diameter: 35.13" Bell 6 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1888
Dove Bell ID: 32595 Tower ID: 14507 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 836 Hz Weight: 1084 lbs Diameter: 36.75" Bell 7 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1885
Dove Bell ID: 32596 Tower ID: 14507 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 744 Hz Weight: 1418 lbs Diameter: 41.13" Bell 8 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1888
Dove Bell ID: 32597 Tower ID: 14507 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: NZ 255 667
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.
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 | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
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
Quinquennial Inspections
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