St Patrick

Introduction

St Patrick's Church in Felling, within the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, was built in 1893-5 by C. Walker of Newcastle.

History

The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded St Patrick's Church a grant of almost £90,000 to renovate the steps leading to the processional entrance. The steps had deteriorated to such an extent that they were deemed unsafe and have been restored to their original condition. The restoration work started in February 2015 and involved new retaining walls, numbering ashlar stones, new steps cut from one piece of stone, and a new facade to the Parish Centre. The foundation stone was concealed behind a supporting wall of the staircase because its size and weight made moving it impossible. The stained glass windows above the main altar show Patrick receiving his mission from the Pope.

Architecture and furnishings

The church is built of rock-faced sandstone with ashlar dressings and a Welsh slate roof. The church is oriented north-south and has a nave, aisles, transepts, chancel and side chapels. The church has an undercroft to the nave built into the hill. The church is in early C14 style with much ornament.

The interior includes an ornate altar, arcaded sanctuary with niches, and a pulpit of alabaster on a Frosterley marble base by Emley of Newcastle. The church has a 5-bay nave with flat-headed 3-light windows, stone-mullioned and with alternate-block jambs. The church has an arcaded 5-sided apse containing lancet windows under hoodmould with block stops. The church has a lead octagonal fleche at the crossing and cross finials.

The west front has a perron stair over a segment-headed entrance to the undercroft. The church has a double boarded church door in a pointed-arched opening under a dripmould with ogee finial, flanked by crocketed niches, with a wheel window over. The interior has a barrel roof on shafted brackets with struts. The interior has tall, paired transept arches.

Sacraments and pastoral care

A dedicated team of Eucharistic Ministers visits the housebound to give Holy Communion on request. Eucharistic Ministers provide pastoral and spiritual care to residents of care homes in the parishes.

A course is provided by the parishes of the local partnership for adults considering becoming Roman Catholic. Couples planning to marry in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle are required to give a minimum of six months’ notice. All couples are asked to follow a marriage preparation course offered by Marriage Care UK, usually on Saturdays.

Young people in year 9 or above are invited to take part in a confirmation programme led by a team of catechists. Information about the confirmation programme is made available through the parish newsletter.

In school year 4, parents are invited via the school to accompany their children in preparing for Reconciliation and Holy Communion. Parents who live outside St Patrick’s or St Alban’s parishes must be regular practising members or have a clear connection to have their child baptised in either church. Hospital visits can be arranged through the hospital Chaplaincy team for a priest to visit.

Visiting

Trips, pilgrimages and social evenings are arranged throughout the year. Refreshments are served after Mass in St Patrick’s. The parish centre is situated beneath Saint Patrick’s Church in Felling High Street.