All Saints

Introduction

The first church, built in 1901, was a tin building that had previously served as a chapel at St Nicholas Asylum, Gosforth.

History

The tin church served the parish for twenty-five years and was replaced in 1926 by the present church. A convent was built next to the church, along with the present school which was opened in 1905 by the Bishop. The church was consecrated and opened on 3 November 1926 by Bishop Joseph Thorman, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle. The church was designed by German architect Theo Korner in a typical Bavarian architectural style.

Architecture and furnishings

The sanctuary is built of Italian marble that came from the Regent Hotel, The Strand, London. The marble was purchased and presented to the church by Mr Piercy-Taylor-Smith of Colepike Hall.

Parish life

The parish serves the two communities of Lanchester, with a population of 4381, and Burnhope, with a population of 1355. Saint Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College is located within the parish. A flourishing Primary School with 110 pupils shares the campus with the church, parish centre and presbytery.

An active and enthusiastic Youth SVP group operates at St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College in Lanchester. The parish offers confession after any of the Masses.