Altar, plaque 1914-18 St. Mary R.C.

St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church.

To the east of the altar.

1914-18

Unveiled Jan. 23rd 1920 by Dr. Collins, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle.

Stone altar, brass plaque in red and white polished alabaster surround.

St. Mary’s Congregation.

£260 approx.

Mr. Cresswell, Hexham.

The adjoining altar has been erected

To the glory of God and
in memory of the following Members
of the Congregation of this Church who
died in the Great War 1914-19
(Names)
Requiescant in Pace

Altar to the Sacred Heart, of white stone, 122 inches high x 85 inches wide (310cms x 217cms), decorated with blue and gilt.

There is a cross beneath a traceried canopy at centre back.

Below the cross is the word “Sanctus”.

On each side there is a panel containing a kneeling angel in half relief, each facing towards the cross with gold halo against a blue background.

A pillar rises at both outer sides, surmounted by an angel facing inwards.

It is accompanied by a plaque of brass 17 inches high x 18 inches wide (68cms x 45cms) with a plain polished alabaster surround.

The brass plaque is rectangular with rounded top, set on a rectangular pattress.

At centre top is a crucifix.

The plaque has a patterned border, which contains (top) the words “the adjoining altar has been erected” and (bottom) bears the prayer.

The names are listed in two columns in black capitals with red first letters to each name.

The lettering is in Roman capitals, apart from the blessing which is in Gothic capitals.

1. From the membership, 150 members joined, of whom 35 died.

2. “The altar had been erected on the left hand side immediately on entering the church”.

Photos: C.N. Dallison; Tony Harding

Hexham Courant
21/12/1918 reports proposal to erect the altar;
10/01/1920 gives details of forthcoming dedication, with a description;
24/01/1920 gives a press report of the unveiling ceremony.

Hexham Weekly News
23/01/1920 reports unveiling.

Illustrated Chronicle
18/12/1918 carries report of proposals;
09/03/1923 carries photo.

Newcastle Daily Journal
13/01/1920 reports proposed unveiling;
20/01/1920 reports unveiling.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
17/01/1920 reports proposed unveiling;
24/10/1920 reports unveiling.

Wearside Catholic News
28/12/1919 reports proposals;
17/01/1920 reports erection of altar;
24/01/1920 reports unveiling.

Peace Celebrations Souvenir Programme (1919) page 23.

Source of quotation
“Requesicant in pace” (May they rest in peace) Latin Mass for the Dead.

Ken and Dorothy Southern;
C.M. Dallison;
Michael Newrick;
J. Brown;
Tony Harding;
Dorothy Hall

Alan Grint has researched the names on the Hexham memorials in his book The Faith and Fire Within, 2006, Ergo Press ISBN 0955275814

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