St Paul's Church, Whitley Bay
Encyclopedia
St Paul's Church is the parish church of Whitley Bay
, North Tyneside
, United Kingdom
. The church was founded in 1864. Strictly speaking, the church's official title is 'St Paul's Church, Cullercoats
', however because it is in the town of Whitley Bay it is more commonly known as the latter.
is the resident priest, Father Alex Faludy of Portsmouth
is the curate. Sandra Graham and Pam MacKenzie are the Churchwardens. There is also a Parochial Church Council, Choir, music group, a newsletter and parish magazine. A Summer fair is held annually, as is the St Nicholas fair and festival during the first weekend in Advent
. The Sunday Club meets every Sunday morning during the 10am mass and is suitable for babies upwards.
(or PCC), looks after the general running of the Church and overlook the finances. The membership is made up of a council of 22 members; 2 Clergy, 1 Lay Reader, 2 Churchwardens, 1 Treasurer, 1 Diocesan Synod Representative (who attends meetings with others from the Diocese of Newcastle
and Tynemouth Deanery), 3 Deanery Synod Representatives (who attend meetings with others from the Tynemouth Deanery) and 12 Lay Members. All members except the Clergy and Lay Reader must go through a nominated election before they can stand. There is also a Standing Committee, made up of 5 members of the PCC, which deals with emergency issues that arise between meetings. They also set the agenda for the following PCC meeting. The PCC meets once a month.
Members:
Father Gavin Gilchrist - Chairman [Clergy],
Father Alex Faludy [Clergy],
Stan Edwards [Lay Reader],
Sandra Graham [Churchwarden],
Pam MacKenzie [Churchwarden & Deanery Synod Representative],
Lillian Martin [Treasurer],
Jill Eltringham [Diocesan Synod Representative],
Pat Hylton [Deanery Synod Representative],
Gerald Lang [Deanery Synod Representative],
Nick Graham,
Chris Heptonstall,
Shirley Heptonstall,
Lesley Lang,
Nicola McIntyre,
Joanne Rose,
Kath Shepherd,
Margaret Stokes,
Bill Temple,
Celia Temple &
Jean Wood
at the church. The deputy organist is June Gibbon. The organ scholar
is Nick Graham. The choir conductor is Celia Temple, who also plays guitar
in the church music group along with Ann Laing who plays keyboard instrument
s, and several students; Sarah Collin (flute
).
A former organist, John Percival Forster, was killed in the Battle of the Somme on July 1 1916. He was aged 28 at the time. He was organist at St Paul's for 6 years between 1912 and 1916 and there is a commemorative plaque to the right of the altar
.
Reverend E. Smith 1885 - 1916
Reverend F.L Cattell 1916 - 1924
Reverend F.J Burt 1924 - 1928
Reverend F.M Dowland 1928 - 1933
Reverend J.E Jenkins 1933 - 1941
Reverend F.R Hedley 1941 - 1955
Reverend R.H.C Henwood 1955 - 1963
Reverend J.H Chicken 1963 - 1972
Reverend R.O Stroud 1972 - 1977
Reverend P.V Rendell 1977 - 1989
Reverend N.A Banks 1990 - 2002
Reverend G. Gilchrist 2002 - present
Whitley Bay
Whitley Bay is a town in North Tyneside, in Tyne and Wear, England. It is on the North Sea coast and has a fine stretch of golden sandy beach forming a bay stretching from St. Mary's Island in the north to Cullercoats in the south...
, North Tyneside
North Tyneside
The Metropolitan Borough of North Tyneside is a metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England and is part of the Tyneside conurbation. Its seat is Wallsend Town Hall....
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The church was founded in 1864. Strictly speaking, the church's official title is 'St Paul's Church, Cullercoats
Cullercoats
Cullercoats is an urban area of north east England, with a population 9,407 in 2004. It has now been absorbed into the North Tyneside conurbation, sitting between Tynemouth and Whitley Bay. There is a semi-circular sandy beach with cliffs and caves, and the village is a popular destination for...
', however because it is in the town of Whitley Bay it is more commonly known as the latter.
Management
Father Gavin Gilchrist of HullKingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
is the resident priest, Father Alex Faludy of Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
is the curate. Sandra Graham and Pam MacKenzie are the Churchwardens. There is also a Parochial Church Council, Choir, music group, a newsletter and parish magazine. A Summer fair is held annually, as is the St Nicholas fair and festival during the first weekend in Advent
Advent
Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on Advent Sunday, called Levavi...
. The Sunday Club meets every Sunday morning during the 10am mass and is suitable for babies upwards.
Parochial Church Council
The Parochial Church CouncilParochial Church Council
The parochial church council , is the executive body of a Church of England parish.-Powers and duties:Two Acts of Parliament define the powers and duties of PCCs...
(or PCC), looks after the general running of the Church and overlook the finances. The membership is made up of a council of 22 members; 2 Clergy, 1 Lay Reader, 2 Churchwardens, 1 Treasurer, 1 Diocesan Synod Representative (who attends meetings with others from the Diocese of Newcastle
Diocese of Newcastle
The Diocese of Newcastle is a Church of England diocese based in Newcastle upon Tyne, covering the historic county of Northumberland . The area of Alston Moor in Cumbria also forms part of the diocese.The diocese came into being on May 23, 1882, and was one of four created by the Bishoprics Act...
and Tynemouth Deanery), 3 Deanery Synod Representatives (who attend meetings with others from the Tynemouth Deanery) and 12 Lay Members. All members except the Clergy and Lay Reader must go through a nominated election before they can stand. There is also a Standing Committee, made up of 5 members of the PCC, which deals with emergency issues that arise between meetings. They also set the agenda for the following PCC meeting. The PCC meets once a month.
Members:
Father Gavin Gilchrist - Chairman [Clergy],
Father Alex Faludy [Clergy],
Stan Edwards [Lay Reader],
Sandra Graham [Churchwarden],
Pam MacKenzie [Churchwarden & Deanery Synod Representative],
Lillian Martin [Treasurer],
Jill Eltringham [Diocesan Synod Representative],
Pat Hylton [Deanery Synod Representative],
Gerald Lang [Deanery Synod Representative],
Nick Graham,
Chris Heptonstall,
Shirley Heptonstall,
Lesley Lang,
Nicola McIntyre,
Joanne Rose,
Kath Shepherd,
Margaret Stokes,
Bill Temple,
Celia Temple &
Jean Wood
Music at St Paul's
The music at St Paul's is quite phenomenal, judging that the 15-strong choir is unpaid and almost all of the musicians play for free. The director of music is Dr Terry Mason, who is also the organistOrganist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
at the church. The deputy organist is June Gibbon. The organ scholar
Organ scholar
An organ scholar is a young musician employed as a part-time assistant organist at an institution where regular choral services are held. The idea of an organ scholarship is to provide the holder with playing, directing and administrative experience....
is Nick Graham. The choir conductor is Celia Temple, who also plays guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
in the church music group along with Ann Laing who plays keyboard instrument
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
s, and several students; Sarah Collin (flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
).
A former organist, John Percival Forster, was killed in the Battle of the Somme on July 1 1916. He was aged 28 at the time. He was organist at St Paul's for 6 years between 1912 and 1916 and there is a commemorative plaque to the right of the altar
Altar
An altar is any structure upon which offerings such as sacrifices are made for religious purposes. Altars are usually found at shrines, and they can be located in temples, churches and other places of worship...
.
St Nicholas Festival
The church is well known in the region as the starting point of the annual St Nicholas Festival in December. It was started by the then Vicar, Reverend Norman Aidan Banks.Vicars of St Paul's
Canon R.F Wheeler 1861 - 1885Reverend E. Smith 1885 - 1916
Reverend F.L Cattell 1916 - 1924
Reverend F.J Burt 1924 - 1928
Reverend F.M Dowland 1928 - 1933
Reverend J.E Jenkins 1933 - 1941
Reverend F.R Hedley 1941 - 1955
Reverend R.H.C Henwood 1955 - 1963
Reverend J.H Chicken 1963 - 1972
Reverend R.O Stroud 1972 - 1977
Reverend P.V Rendell 1977 - 1989
Reverend N.A Banks 1990 - 2002
Reverend G. Gilchrist 2002 - present