17/06/2026
Christ Church, Preston Road North Shields - 2018
From the national churches trust.org website:-
Originally attached to the medieval community of Tynemouth Priory, the first parish church of Tynemouth stood within the walls of Tynemouth Castle.
During the troubled times of the Civil War, parishioners were frequently prevented from worshipping there, and in 1652 Oliver Cromwell's commissioners decided that a new church was needed outside the castle walls. In the 1650-60s, Christ Church was built in the plain style of a Presbyterian preaching house, with four arms of equal length and a pulpit in the centre. The church proved popular and soon had to be expanded to accommodate the growing congregation, and by 1793 the four corners had been extended, the walls raised and galleries built above the north and south aisles; in 1869 the chancel was also expanded. Edward Hodgson, Cordwainer of North Shields and an early founder of this church, has his 1690 burial south of the distinguished tower. The organ is at the west end in the last surviving gallery.
From North Shields Parish website:-
From a historical perspective there are many unexpected treasured items which include the organ, reportedly brought from Vauxhall Gardens in London in 1794, a fine ringing chamber with 10 bells, six of which date back to 1788, which are still rung regularly today. The parish stocks, last used in 1832, are displayed in a case on the rear wall of the building. Reminders of the strong seafaring traditions of the parish are evident and the Mariners Chapel includes stained glass given for the centenary of the RNLI in Tynemouth and ship models from about 1820.
There are also some interesting tombstones, including one from the Collingwood family whose family vault was in the churchyard as well as that of a previous vicar, Thomas Dockwray.
Christ Church bears witness to a long and fascinating past. It would be worth looking after for that reason alone, but more than that it stands as witness to the living faith of those who worshipped here over the centuries.
