Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
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St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more

Posted by Norman Dunn on 20/8/2025, 1:05 pm

I found this article on the Internet, so have added their LINK

Like the heading says, we will soon be losing 2 more churches.
As we know St Andrew's Presbyterian Church closed a 'canny few' years ago & is now a Buddhist Temple.
Click the LINK & read the article.
Father Cleugh has it spot on saying 'The Hebburn they were built for no longer exists'.

Link: LINK

Re: St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more

Posted by Stan Wears on 21/8/2025, 8:18 am, in reply to "St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more"

I travelled from Liverpool last Thursday especially to photograph both churches inside and out. In a few weeks or so, they will be archived in a few places and wont end up as forgotten monuments of Hebburn. Also they will be turned into a DVD. I normally travel all over the UK to do pre 1900 churches as a hobby. However, when I landed in St. Oswald's church, I was shocked at the lack of attention and upset by the fact it will soon be gone forever. It is a case of use it or lose it.
As for St. Cuthbert's, the inside is beautiful as you can get and the same applies here. What concerns me is neither church is grade II listed and there is insufficient history on both buildings. I have contacted the diocese off and they agree that there is barely nothing.... sad to say the least... It was worth my travel and I am pleased to have saved some future town history. However, who is next? St. Aloysius as we have St James's...

Re: St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more

Posted by Margaret McD on 21/8/2025, 10:24 am, in reply to "Re: St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more"

The Parochial Church Council minute books should be archived. Reading those would give some insight into what has gone before BUT that would be work that would take many hours (years?). They are at The Story in Durham (I think) and that is worth visiting. Good coffee as well.

Re: St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more

Posted by Norman on 21/8/2025, 10:18 am, in reply to "St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more"
Edited by board administrator 21/8/2025, 10:34 am

In the old days people were God fearing so churches & chapels were built in our Towns for the different denominations.
I was brought up a Catholic and on a Sunday they had masses starting at 6am, 7am,8am,9am,10am & 11-15am. Then they started an evening Mass for those that like a lie in on a Sunday morning.

Just thinking about it Hebburn alone had this list below and now they are all gone.
As has been said 'Use them or Lose them'.
High Lane Row Methodist Chapel,
Primitive Methodist Chapel Hebburn Colliery
United Methodist's Hebburn Colliery
Trinity Methodist Chapel in Argyle St
Gospel Hall Victoria Rd West
Weslyan Chapel in Glen St
Primitive Methodist Chapel Charles St
Central Methodist Chapel on Argyle St
Methodist Chapel in Jervis St

Re: St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more

Posted by Margaret McD on 21/8/2025, 10:27 am, in reply to "Re: St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more"

The chapel on Argyle Street was called Central Methodist. I went there for some time. AND so did Bob Noble!

Re: St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more

Posted by John Mills on 21/8/2025, 1:53 pm, in reply to "Re: St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more"

Margaret, Stan, Norman,
many thanks to the three of you for the tremendous work you do to continue to preserve our heritage.

Re: St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more

Posted by Margaret McD on 21/8/2025, 2:03 pm, in reply to "Re: St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more"

Thank you John. Nice to be thanked. I have to be selective these days. Running out of time. Just had my 87th birthday

Re: St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more: for Margaret McD

Posted by Sheila on 21/8/2025, 2:45 pm, in reply to "Re: St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more"

Happy belated Birthday wishes. 🎂🎈🛍️

Just visited St Cuthberts & Oswalds this afternoon

Posted by Norman on 21/8/2025, 4:42 pm, in reply to "Re: St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more: for Margaret McD"

Thank you John, much appreciated.
Ive been to see both churches this afternoon with a few lovely ladies that attend Hebburn History Society.
What 2 beautifully maintained churches they are & it's such a shame they may not be around much longer. Would we demolish a Cathedral?
We wouldnt, so what can be done with these well built 150 year old churches that are equally as beautiful.???
I am 81 & that was my very first time in St Oswalds Church, but I'd been in St Cuthberts a few times.My church was St Aloysius RC.
Thanks to Vicar Fr David Cleugh for showing us around.

Re: Just visited St Cuthberts & Oswalds this afternoon

Posted by Carol in hampshire on 21/8/2025, 8:31 pm, in reply to "Just visited St Cuthberts & Oswalds this afternoon"

Hi Norman very interesting one name stands out to me
John Henry Manners Atkins 1912
My family includes the Manners, it would be interesting to find out where he came from etc.

For Sheila

Posted by Margaret McD on 21/8/2025, 5:29 pm, in reply to "Re: St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more: for Margaret McD"

Thank you so much x

Re: For Sheila

Posted by Bob Noble on 21/8/2025, 8:37 pm, in reply to "For Sheila"

Hello Margaret.I always knew it as the "Primative Methodist"
Happy Birthday-- 87 and still kicking well done you
When our family moved to Yorkshire In 943 the sunday school presented me with a beautiful small bible signed by the secretary ,which I still have and cherish, although the pictured cover is a little the worst for wear xx

Re: For Sheila

Posted by Stan Wears on 22/8/2025, 10:29 am, in reply to "Re: For Sheila"

Happy birthday Margaret!

Re: For Sheila

Posted by Margaret McD on 22/8/2025, 9:14 pm, in reply to "Re: For Sheila"

Thank you Stan.

Re: St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more

Posted by AJG on 22/8/2025, 10:17 pm, in reply to "St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more"

Fr. Cleugh is absolutely right. When these churches were built, the local church was the social and spiritual hub for the people of that particular denomination. Also people lived and worked right there in Hebburn, so their lives were centered very locally.

Unfortunately we are a much more fragmented society now. A lot of people don't even go into a place of work any more, they just work from their houses, so there is even less social interaction. Also a lot of the trust in organized religions has been eroded over the years for one reason or another.

Re: St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more

Posted by Stan Wears on 23/8/2025, 1:35 pm, in reply to "Re: St Cuthbert's & St Oswald's soon no more"

Thanks AJG. Your post is so correct. I pass through villages all over the UK to film churches pre 1900 and they remain in tact, yet here we are facing a death sentence for both in Hebburn. Churches that are ornate and linked to shipyards and mining. It is really sickening to see this happen but nothing can be done to save them which is why I will do my best to preserve them in photos.

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