Parish church · the Tyne Road · since 1868

The door is open every day, eight till eight

Come in to sit, to light a candle, to get out of the rain or to be quiet for ten minutes between two other things. Nobody will ask why you are there. Somebody will offer you tea if you look like you want one.

What happens this week

The nave of a stone church with rows of wooden pews, lanterns hanging from the arches and stained glass above the altar.

Three times a week

A small church with pews either side of a green carpet leading to the altar.

Sunday morning

A said service at eight for the early risers, and a sung one at half past ten with the choir of nine and coffee after.

10:30, and 8:00

Three thin candles burning in the dark in front of a stained glass window.

Night prayer

Wednesday at nine, by candlelight only. Twenty minutes, mostly silence, a psalm and a blessing. Come in whatever you are wearing.

Wednesday, 21:00

Many small candles burning on a stand, seen from low down.

The candle stand

Every day, all day. Light one for someone, write their name in the book beside it if you want, and it is read out on Sunday.

Any time the door is open

A cluster of lit candles of different heights on a table in a dark room.

Why the door is open

A building that is used six days a week

Ten years ago the church was locked from Sunday to Sunday. Now there are three volunteers on a rota, a kettle in the vestry and a sign on the road, and about four hundred people a week come through the door.

Most of them never come on a Sunday, and that is the point of it.

Borrow a room

Looking down a stone aisle between wooden pews towards a window of coloured glass.

Weddings, funerals, baptisms

You don't have to be a regular

If you live in the parish, you can be married, buried or christened here, whether or not you have ever been inside. Ring the vicar and say what you need; the first conversation is over a cup of tea, not a form.

Funerals are always given priority, and the fee is waived for anyone who asks.

Ring the vicar

This week

Sunday, said service08:00

Sunday, sung service and coffee10:30

Monday, toddler group in the hall09:30

Tuesday, choir practice, anyone welcome19:00

Wednesday, night prayer by candlelight21:00

Thursday, lunch for anyone, pay what you like12:30

Friday, bell ringers19:30

Saturday, the door open and the kettle onall day

Rooms to borrow, free

Any group that meets for the good of the neighbourhood can use a room here without paying. Ring the office with a day and a time; we say yes more often than not.

A small whitewashed chapel under a stone arch, a dark painting above a plain altar.

The vestry

A table for ten, a kettle and a door that shuts. Used by the bereavement group on Mondays.

A tall church nave with lanterns on the pillars and a round stained glass window at the far end.

The nave

Two hundred seats and a good echo. Concerts, school carol services and one very loud brass band.

A bright church interior with rows of chairs, a carved pulpit, a painted gallery and an organ.

The side chapel

Twelve chairs, very quiet. For anyone who needs a room to sit in with somebody for an hour.

If you have never been in a church

What to wear: Whatever you are wearing. Nobody here has looked at anyone's shoes since about 1970.

When to stand: When the people in front of you do. If you stay sitting, nothing happens either.

Money: A plate goes round on Sunday. Let it pass; most people do, and it is not counted who.

Children: Welcome, and allowed to make a noise. There is a box of books and crayons at the back.

Step-free: By the north door, with a ramp and a hearing loop. The toilet is in the hall across the yard.

Believing: Not required. You can sit at the back with your doubts for as long as you like.

Rows of small candles burning in a dark room.

Every day	08:00 — 20:00
Christmas Day	07:00 — 13:00