About Us

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF ST BARNABAS: PART OF THE PARISH OF HIGH SPEN AND ROWLANDS GILL

The Parish of High Spen & Rowlands Gill lies in the heart of the Derwent Valley, to the western edge of Gateshead District. Our two parish churches of St Barnabas’ and St Patrick’s serve the communities of Rowlands Gill, High Spen, Highfield, Victoria Garesfield and Barlow as well as Pontaugh and parts of Coalburns and down to Lintzford.

We aim to be a friendly and inclusive church and in our worship we have both accessible all-age services such as our monthly ‘café church’ and also more traditional worship including evening ‘songs of praise’ services. We have good community links including through our Christmas tree festival, concerts and regular (usually food based!) events and our work with schools.

We work closely with our neighbours Strathmore Road Methodist Church in community-based projects including a football club on one of our local estates, a summer holiday club in Highfield and Refugee drop-in we host in St Barnabas’. We share our buildings with St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church and jointly hold a monthly ‘Coffee and Cake’ for people from the wider community. Increasingly we describe our role in God’s mission as ‘Blessing Community Together’.

CHURCH OF ST BARNABAS

St. Barnabas is positioned in the very centre of Rowlands Gill next to Tesco’s. Built of brick in 1956 to a traditional design the new St. Barnabas replaced the tin church which had been on the same site. In the nave there is seating for about 120 on the “Mousey” Thompson oak pews, but the organ and choir balcony above the rear of the nave can accommodate up to 30 extra people. The church garden is well maintained and attractive and has won many awards: there are benches within the garden which are well used by local people.

Services at St Barnabas: Alternate Sundays with St Patrick's 10:00 am Holy Communion

'Zoom' service of Holy Communion on Wednesday mornings at 9.30am.  Contact us for the codes.

CHURCH OF ST PATRICK

St Patrick’s Church was consecrated on 17 March 1890 and, until recently, has undergone very little alteration. It is located midway between the villages of High Spen and Highfield and it enjoys splendid views of the Derwent Valley and surrounding area and its grounds adjoin the much-visited public cemetery.

Services at St Patrick's: Alternate Sundays with St Barnabas: 10.00 am Holy Communion.

Other regular events and 'special days' include:  Quiz Nights, Jazz night, Church Fairs,  Christmas Tree lighting & Christmas 'Big Sing', Coffee Mornings, Harvest-In and the famous St Patrick’s Cream Teas. Both churches celebrate their annual patronal festivals: St Patrick 17th March and St Barnabas on Sunday nearest 11th June.

To find out more about us visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ParishHSRG/