About Us
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF ST PATRICK - 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 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: Sunday: 8:45 am Holy Communion, Thursday 9:30 am Holy Communion (Said Service) (First Thursday Of The Month).
Our 'Little Friends at St Pat's' is a pre-school group which meets the third Thursday in the month 9:30-11 00 for fun, craft, games and friendship. Mums, dads, Grandparents and carers are all welcome and during school holidays activities are arranged for 'Big brothers and sisters'
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: Sunday 10:30 am Holy Communion - First Sunday In The Month Is ‘Cafe Church’ All-Age Worship with Communion Thursday 9:30 am Holy Communion (Said Service) (Weekly Except First Thursday Of The Month)
Other regular events and 'special days' include: Cabaret Supper, Quiz Nights, Parish Breakfasts, Church Fairs, Family Barbeques, Christmas Tree lighting & Christmas 'Big Sing' Carol Service, Coffee Mornings, Harvest-In and the famous St Patrick’s Cream Teas. Both churches celebrate their annual patronal festivals with St Barnabas Church carrying their celebration across a weekend.
To find out more about us visit us at our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ParishHSRG/