Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
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FAO Stan Wears

Posted by Ray Forster on 5/6/2026, 4:13 pm

Latest on Hebburn churches:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3r25e799vpo?app-referrer=deep-link

Re: FAO Stan Wears

Posted by Maria on 5/6/2026, 5:09 pm, in reply to "FAO Stan Wears"

That is good news thanks Ray .

Re: FAO Stan Wears

Posted by Carol in hampshire on 5/6/2026, 5:33 pm, in reply to "FAO Stan Wears"

St Oswalds was ny family's church until 1937

Re: FAO Stan Wears

Posted by Maria on 5/6/2026, 5:56 pm, in reply to "Re: FAO Stan Wears"

St Cuthberts was my church untill 1965 .Lived in Cuthbert St so near.First communion there.Mams funeral at St Oswalds church she lived near there . I was a God mother also at the church . So Happy they have been saved.

Great News Ray

Posted by Norman Dunn on 5/6/2026, 6:01 pm, in reply to "Re: FAO Stan Wears"

GREAT NEWS that Ray.
Well done to the volunteers.
Locals need to remember the saying 'Use it or Lose it' though.

Re: Great News Ray from Stan Wears

Posted by Stan Wears on 6/6/2026, 8:01 pm, in reply to "Great News Ray"

Thank you everyone! That news is the best I have heard in years. St. Cuthbert's was built for the shipping community and Frederick Richard Wilson laid the foundation stone 0n 19th March in 1872. The church was extended in 1907. There is a rood panel made by the workmen of Hawthorn Leslie unveiled in 1920. It was paid for by the congregation but as a gift by a Mr. J.T.Batey. I noticed are there are 20 stone buttresses keeping the walls up. That is because they are single stone. ( very thin with a calculated 15 tonne roof). Not even a grade listed building which puzzles me considering St. Aloysius 1888?
St. Oswald's is a different matter !It was built for the mining community in 1883. It is known as Gothic architecture with 2 aisles and 2 altars. Prof. Leonard Evetts is a leading stained glass window person known around the North east and has 2 windows in here. I was ready to salvage them both should demolition happen. The bell tower has no bell either. This is not grade listed building but in my opinion, should be. It can seat 310 people. The floor is made of solid oak blocks cast in concrete. Finally the architect was C, Hodgson Fowler FSA to a 14th C design. This is the first time in my role as an architectural ecclesiologist that I have heard of any churches like this being reprieved.
Thank you to the townsfolk for saving these magnificent buildings and to Norman for this item...

Re: Great News Ray from Stan Wears

Posted by Stan Wears on 8/6/2026, 9:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Great News Ray from Stan Wears"

The vicar, FR.Cleugh has resigned. I agree with what he told me. If people dont use these churches even now, this reprieve will only add to the final curtain. There is also the cost of maintaining them. There is no doubt about it, they will go. Sad really. We only have ourselves to blame...

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