Diameter: 28.38" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Henry Watson 1863
Dove Bell ID: 51870 Tower ID: 18893 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Byker: St Michael
Diocese of Newcastle
Church, 625117
http://www.bykerchurch.co.ukThis church is on the Heritage at Risk Register (verified 2024-11-14)
View more information about this church on the Heritage at Risk website
Overview
Grid reference: NZ 272 644
This large Victorian church stands amid the Byker Wall housing development, the tall Gothic building providing a stark contrast to the brightly coloured cubic housing units. It stands at the highest point in Newcastle on the summit of a steep hill known as St Michael’s Mount, along the flanks of which the development winds. It was built in 1862-63 (architect W L Moffat) to serve the burgeoning population as Newcastle expanded to the south and east with the growth of local industry. Until this time Byker had been a small village, of which nothing now remains, though the church stands roughly on its location.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
5-bay aisled nave, 5-bay chancel, north vestry, organ chamber and sacristy, south porch with tower over.
Dimensions:
Nave 18m (56 feet) x 7.50m (23 feet), chancel 11m (34 feet) x 6m (19 feet).
Footprint of Church buildings: 649 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was built in 1862-63, to the designs of W L Moffat, to serve the burgeoning population as Newcastle expanded to the south and east with the growth of local industry. Until this time Byker had been a small village, of which nothing now remains, though the church stands roughly on its location. The site was quarried for stone and there were also coal mine workings in and around the hill, which may be partly responsible for the subsidence problems affecting the church hall.
The church is considered unusual in having been conceived from the beginning on so large and grand a scale for a purely working class community. The original church consisted of nave, south aisle, chancel and vestry, with a tall tower over the entrance porch near the south-west corner. The church was expanded in 1936 by the addition of a gabled north aisle, elongation of the chancel, and the addition of organ chamber, vestry and choir. Material from the recently demolished St Peters, Oxford Street was used.
Exterior Description
The church is dominated externally by the tall tower, which stands proud of the rest of the building over the main entrance porch. The broach spire is indeed visible from some distance, and can clearly be seen against the horizon on arrival into Newcastle by train. The tower is 25m (79 feet) in height, of which approximately half is the spire. This has one two-light traceried window with louvres in each broach face. Below this is the belfry stage with pointed triple-lancet windows with louvres. The middle stage has narrow pointed lancets. The lower stage has the main doorway, pointed with nook-shafts and three orders of chamfers. The tower has angle buttresses.
The nave and aisles of the church have separate gabled roofs, and buttresses with two weatherings, as has the chancel. The style of the architectural details is Decorated, with the exception of the 1936 additions which are Perpendicular, with small square headed windows in the vestry and side walls of the chancel extension. Several of the original windows from the north nave wall, and the chancel east window, were inserted into the walls of the 1936 extensions. There is a doorway directly opposite the south porch.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
Unknown
Large, three-light west window has a scene from the Book of Revelations.
Stained Glass
1896
North aisle east window has SS Matthew and Mark. Inscription “Dec 1896 in memory of H T Ormorod BA, curate of this church from 1893-1896”. A brass plate underneath the window commemorates a 50 years anniversary 1895-1945.
Stained Glass
Unknown
Four Evangelists, and the Agnus Dei in the Trifoleum.
Stained Glass
Unknown
East chancel window has St Michael and Angels.
Building Materials
Sandstone
Unknown
Local yellow sandstone
Slate
Unknown
Roof
Interior
Interior Description
Spacious and uncluttered, the sparse internal furnishing and decoration reflect the evangelical tradition of the church. The fittings are original to the church.
The aisles have two-light windows. The south aisle piers are Decorated in style, circular with scroll-moulded bases and capitals. The arcade arches are pointed and have two orders of chamfers. There is a Lady chapel at the east end.
The north aisle piers are octagonal with bell-moulded bases and have late Perpendicular moulded capitals, as if to emphasise the fact that this part of the church is a later addition. There are also two piers of this type in the open western part of the chancel north wall, in which space the organ is housed.
The broad nave has a three-light stained glass west window. The timber roof is carried on scroll-moulded corbels and is arch-braced with a collar, while the chancel has a barrel roof with green and white painted panels dating to the 1936 rebuild. Both have brattished wall plates.
The chancel arch is of two orders and is carried on corbels carved with bearded male heads. The chancel has two two-light windows in the south wall and one in the north, and a three-light window with stained glass in the east wall.
The floor is of grey limestone flags, with wooden boards in the baptistery and under the pews. There are three steps up to the chancel and one further to the sanctuary in the easternmost bay.
Fixtures and fittings
Reredos
1863
Plain oak panels, with First World War memorial in the chancel and with tracery around the Lady Chapel reredos.
Lectern
1863
Big oak eagle
Pulpit
1863
Four-sided oak box on a stone base, reached by six steps. Cable decoration with tightly knosped floral decoration around the blank panels.
Font (object)
1863
Stone, octagonal with alternate symbols of the Evangelists and crosses. Coved stem and moulded foot. Huge intricately carved oak canopy by R S Scott, with a latin inscription on the cover commemorating its donation by Henry Dodd.
Plaque (object)
Unknown
Brass plaque under the west window, north aisle. "In affectionate memory of husband Edward Grace, late of Byker Hill and Wallsend who departed this life on 23rd June 1853, aged 71 years. This monument is placed by Sarah Grace”.
Scroll
Unknown
West wall, white marble scroll between columns with broken pediment above. “In loving memory of the Revd John Woodhouse for 18 years vicar of this parish died 14.5.1898”.
Plate
Unknown
Two brass plates in north aisle. “In memory of G R Taylor, vicar of Byker 1189-1925 died 1934” and “His son Sec Lt Ronald Woodhouse Taylor 11th Royal Fusiliers Battle of Somme 7.7.1916 aged 20 years”.
Organ (object)
Unknown
Three-manual and pedal pipe organ. Built by Binns.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: NZ 272 644
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 | 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
Submit a change
If you notice something incorrect or missing, please explain it in the form below and submit it to our team for review.