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~ St.Mary,
Gateshead ~ |
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The Parish Church, dedicated
to St. Mary, is an old and interesting edifice, situated in an
elevated site overlooking the river. It is cruciform in shape,
consisting of nave, with aisles, north and south transepts, chancel,
and square tower. |
| The architecture is of a mixed character, the oldest
parts of the structure being the north wall of the chancel, which is
supposed to date from the beginning of the twelfth century, and part
of the south doorway, which belongs to the Transitional period. The
tower, which is in a different style of architecture to the rest of
the structure, replaced the old tower in 1740. |
| The building to the north of the chancel is said to have
been erected as the habitation for an anchoress, space in the
churchyard being granted by licence from Bishop Bury, to the then
rector of Brancepeth for that purpose. The church suffered great
damage through the terrible explosion which took place in Gateshead
in 1854, which necessitated the rebuilding of a great part of the
chancel. The seating accommodation is for 1500. The living is a
rectory, valued, with the mastership of King James' Hospital, at £1100,
out of which the curates are to be paid, making the net income about
£530. Rector, the Rev. William Moore Ede, M.A., hon. Canon. |
| Photograph & text
courtesy of Steve Ellwood |
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