top of page
90 YEARS OF ST MARY'S
Designs for the church
DESIGNS FOR A NEW CHURCH
St Mary's Church was built in 1931, when it replaced the original prefabricated tin hut that had served as a daughter church of St Paul's in the centre of Whitley Bay. The area where the church now stands was yet to be built on.
There were many designs, and the chosen scheme was a brick built church in the romanesque style (similar in style to an ancient Roman basilica where early Christians would have met). The original plan was to have a large bell tower, but the building was not completed.
Foundation Stone
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE
The Foundation Stone of the Church was laid on 9th May 1931 by the Bishop of Newcastle, Harold Bilborough.
The Hall & Extension
THE HALL AND THE WEST EXTENSION
In 1957 a new Church Hall was built on the site of the original St Mary's church, next to the new building. The Main church building was completed in 1963 by the adding of a baptistry and vestibule at the west end.
Reordering in 2000s
REORDERING THE CHURCH
By the 2000s, the church was in need of updating, both to match the liturgical developments of the church, and to install modern equipment. Completed in 2015, the reordering retained many of the original features from the 1930s, but added some technical features from the 21st Century– such as modern lighting, sound system, fully equipped kitchen, heating and toilet facilities.
St Mary's Today
ST MARY'S TODAY
Today we are proud of our bright and welcoming church, and the flexibility of the space helped us to bring worship to people at home during lockdown. Here's to the next 90 years!
bottom of page