The church of St Godric was named after a monk and hermit who lived at Finchale Priory in the twelfth century.


During the nineteenth century St Cuthberts Old Elvet was the parish church for all of 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 by a fire in 1985, the roof was
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


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