Monday 2 December 2013

St Joseph`s, Gateshead, as it was.


I am interested to find out more about the history of St Joseph`s. In the room off the sacristy, with the title, the Ingram Hall, (originally the sacristy proper), there are a number of old photos of the church. There are two of the sanctuary. Here is one. I`ll scan the other eventually. I suspect this is the older of the two as the other lacks the stencilling, the candelabra and replaces the curtains on either side of the high altar with doors.

I`d be interested to knnow if any photos exist of the church as it was in 1859 when new. I find it hard to believe that the pinnacle above the tabernacle was original as it blocks out the stained glass behind. I wonder where it went?

8 comments:

  1. Do you know who the architect was, Father?

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  2. Archibald M Dunn. There is a Wikipedia article on him : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archibald_Matthias_Dunn

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  3. Slight typo, Father. You mention 1959 when it should be 1859. It looks like a proper Catholic church with altar rails and a 'proper' pulpit. Perhaps you could run a series of H and N parish churches before they were despoiled in the frenzy of re-ordering post-Vatican II. I can send you some photos of Blackhill St. Mary's and St Michael's, Esh Laude. I am sure that others could also supply some.

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  4. It does look rather spectacular, I would be interested in finding out if there are more photos from this period.

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  5. I've always been of the opinion (agreed with by Fr Adrian Dixon) that this photograph was printed in reverse as the pulpit & crucifix are shown on the Epistle side of the church whereas, normally, they are on the Gospel side

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  6. Could be but I can think of pulpits on the Epistle side: Westminster cathedral springs to mind.

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  7. It is printed the right way. If you open the image in a new tab and zoom in, you can read the lettering on the Altar cloth: “Ecce Panis Angelorum Factus Cibus Viatorum”

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  8. I (& I'm sure Fr Adrian) stand corrected by our reverend Fathers

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