Great North Road, Sacred Heart Church

Church, c.1865 with later additions. Architect unknown but possibly by William Butterfield or one of his pupils. Built in Early English gothic style of brick, faced in coursed ashlar buff sandstone with slate roofs. Truncated west tower, south porch, nave with aisles and clerestorey, north and south chapels, square-ended sanctuary. Open roof with king-post collar trusses. Plain pews and re-sited organ possibly original. Stained glass dating from between 1872 and 1875 by Morris and Co. The piece de resistance is the three light east window, principally designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, the central light depicts a half-profile crucifixion, with Christ ministered by nine red-winged angels. Interior - orange brick horizontially banded with black brick and buff ashlar giving a striking effect. The walls of the sanctuary have more elaborate bands of polychrome brick chevron and checked decoration and an arcade in black bricks. The church was built at the expense of a private individual (Thomas Eustace Smith, Liberal MP for Tynemouth 1868-1885 and owner of Gosforth House), remaining unconsecrated while serving part of an Anglican parish, and then being bought for the Roman Catholic church. Originally named St. Mary's. The church was re-roofed in 1913 and 1934. Major internal re-ordering of chancel and west end in 1986-7. LISTED GRADE 2