RC Church of St. Joseph, Blythe's Pillar

RC Church of St. Joseph, Blythe's Pillar

HER Number
7399
District
Gateshead
Site Name
RC Church of St. Joseph, Blythe's Pillar
Place
Birtley
Map Sheet
NZ25NE
Class
Gardens Parks and Urban Spaces
Site Type: Broad
Sculpture
Site Type: Specific
Sculpture
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Form of Evidence
Structure
Description
This monument of heavily worn sandstone standing on a plinth in St Joseph’s R. C. churchyard was formerly the spire of the parish Church in Chester-le-Street. The reasons for the move are uncertain, but whilst it is thought to date from the 12th century (one of the stones was inscribed with the date 1139) Mr Jack Blythe, a local brickmaker, only had it erected here in 1910. He had added a crucifix to it, but this has since been lost. The top is capped by a lead crowning cover with crosses incised around the periphery. There is both relief and incised decoration to the shaft of the pillar. The worn, weathered, and aged appearance is part of the charm of the monument, and it is quirky, characterful and curious. The decorated lead crown, which was presumably simply a practical solution to a weather problem, emphasises its ad-hoc nature. It is a surprising survival. LOCAL LIST
Easting
427240
Northing
556020
Grid Reference
NZ427240556020
Sources
Gateshead Council Local List; http://.www.stjosephs-birtley.co.uk