The church of St Godric was named
after a monk and hermit who lived;
in the twelfth century, at a site close to where
Finchale Priory now stands.

During the nineteenth century St Cuthberts Old Elvet
was the parish church for all of the Catholics in Durham
City.By the middle of the century, however it became
clear that it was inadequate for the growing Catholic
community in Durham, whose numbers had been swelled
by the influx of a large number of Irish Catholic workers
who came in 1857, to build amongst other things, the rail
viaduct that stands within one hundred meters of the church

     The site for St Godrics was purchased in 1858 and
the foundation stone was laid on Whit Monday 1863
by Bishop Hogarth, who also officiated at the opening of
the church in November 1864.
The original plans for the church included a tower with a
spire: however, the tower was not added until 1909 and
was finished without its spire.

The war memorial that stands close to the front door was
unveiled on Sunday, the 13th May 1923.

The church is about 130 feet long with a tower at
the west end, that contains the entrance. The church
consists of a nave with an aisle and side chapel to
the north. The pillars between the nave and the north
aisle are of Aberdeen granite.The north- east window
contains the figures of St William, Archbishop of York
in the twelfth century and St Ralph, Bishop of Bourges
in the ninth century
The east window depicts the occasion from the life of
St Godric, when it is said Mary the mother of Jesus
appeared to St Godric and taught him a hymn

The south-east window has the figures of St Cuthbert and
the Venerable Bede The interior of the church was badly
damaged in a fire in 1985, the roof was completely
destroyed and collapsed into the nave, it took over a year
for repairs to be completed. Results of the fire can
still be seen in the Stations of the Cross, many of which
were smoke blackened and have been left as a reminder
of the event.






    The church of St Bede, was named
    after the Venerable Bede; who is
     interred in Durham Cathedral.



In the nineteen sixties, with the start of the Newton Hall
housing development it was realized that once again
further expansion was needed. A site was purchased
on the edge of the new development, for the erection
of not only a new church but also a new presbytery
and new school; to replace the one in the city center.

St Bedes is a modern functional building on two levels,
the ground floor with access directly from the car park
is used as a community/function room, while the church
itself is on the first floor, with access, both by stairs
and a long shallow ramp leading directly to the main door.

The parish is somewhat unusual, in having two church
buildings however at the time of building St Bedes
it was felt that it was important to maintain links
between the new estate and the city