Churches of Gateshead, 1855

THE PARISH CHURCH, dedicated to St. Mary, is so old that the date of its erection is entirely unknown, but we find it mentioned as early as the year 1291, at which period the living was worth £13. 6s. 8d. per annum. It is a cruciform structure, and from the shape and hewn work of the stones, appears to have been constructed from the ruins of some Roman edifice. Withi. the last century this venerable structure has undergone extensive alterations and repairs, the tower and a portion of the nave having been rebuilt, the spires taken down, and the roof altered. Six new bells were hung in 1773, and a beautiful stained glass window, representing the Annunciation, was presented to the church in 1819. A new organ was purchased by subscription in 1824, and the interior wood-work on the ground floor, with the gallery front and pulpit, were removed and replaced in 1838, when the interior of the church was generally repaired, altered, and heated by hot water. The church possesses accommodation for 1,007 persons, and 125 children. The living, a rectory in the arch-deaconary of Durham, and deanery of Chester, is rated at £27. 13s. 4d., gross income, £750. Patron, the Bishop of Durham. Rector, the Rev. John Davies, D.D. The parish register commences in 1559.

Such was the state of this ancient edifice, but it is now it complete wreck, from the effects of the explosion-which took place in its neighbourhood on the 6th of October of the current year. Not a window was left in the church, and the three faces of the clock were blown out, though it was not in itself injured. At a meeting of the parishioners, held on the 15th of November of the present year, it was decided to repair and restore the venerable structure. The cost of the repairs, etc., will amount to upwards of £1,255. 

TRINTY CHAPEL. This ancient structure, supposed to have been erected previous to 1207, is situated in High-street. After the confiscation of the property of the monastic establishments, it became the property of the ancient Northumbrian family of Riddell, whose mansion house, which stood adjacent, suffered severely from the Scots under Leslie, and being the residence of a Catholic family, was plundered and set on fire by a Protestant mob in 1746. This chapel, which seems to have fallen into disuse after the union of the hospitals of the Holy Trinity and St. Edmund in 1248, shared the violence of the mob, and remained a ruin until the year 1836, when Cuthbert Ellison, Esq., lord of the manor, gave the ground and building, as also a site for the erection of schools, to the rector and church wardens of Gateshead. In consequence of this gift, a public subscription was commenced, which realised a sufficient sum for the repair of the venerable edifice and the erection of the schools. The chapel was opened for worship, according to the rites of the Church of England, in 1837. The eastern window contains the armorial bearings of many of the subscribers, beautifully executed in stained glass by Mr Wailes of Newcastle. The Rev, Thomas Speck is the present chaplain.

ST EDMUND'S CHAPEL, High-street, was erected by subscription in 1809, at a cost of £1,331. There was formerly but one service at this chapel on Sundays, but since the wreck of the parish church by the explosion of the 6th of October, there has been three services - an arrangement, which will be continued so long as it may be necessary. Rev. William Bennett, chaplain.

BETHESDA CHAPEL. This building, the property of the Methodist New Connexion, is situated between Brunswick-terrace and Melbourne-street. It is a fine commodious brick edifice, with a stone portico, and possesses sufficient accommodation for 970 persons. The basement storey serves as a school. 

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHAPEL, situated at the head of Melbourne-street, was erected in 1836, by a congregation of Independents, from whom it was transferred to the present occupants. It is a commidious edifice with school room etc,  attached, and is seated for 640 persons, The Rev. T.K. Knox, is the present minister.

THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL in West-street, is a small struture, possessing sittings for about 80 persons. There is also another chapel belonging to the same body in Nelson-street.

THE WESLEYAN CHAPEL, situated in High-street, is a fine commodious structure, erected in 1815, and will accommodate 670 persons. There is a vestry and suitable school-rooms adjoining the chapel. There is another Wesleyan Chapel in Pipewellgate, which will seat about 165 persons.

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