Christ Church, North Shields

Christ Church stands in North Shields, a town on the north bank of the River Tyne. Built in the 17th century, it was the first church in the area, replacing an older priory church that had fallen into disrepair. The church was designed by Robert Trollope, a Yorkshire architect, and consecrated in 1668. Later, in the late 18th century, John Dodds added a west tower and rebuilt much of the church. The building is made of sandstone ashlar with a Welsh slate roof and features a three-storey battlemented tower. The church’s architecture reflects the styles of different periods. The nave has three bays with round-headed windows and large round windows above the doors. The chancel was enlarged in 1869, and the former vestry stands nearby. Inside, the nave arcades have elliptical arches on Tuscan columns, and the west gallery, supported by cast iron columns, houses an organ with panels from an 1884 warship. An 18th-century font is also found in the south aisle. Visitors find monuments inside and outside the church. Two stone grave covers inside commemorate a former vicar and members of the Howlett family. Outside, south of the tower, is the chest tomb of Edward Hodgson, one of the church’s founders. The church’s Grade II listing recognises its historical significance, and its simple yet elegant design offers a quiet place to reflect.