Reredos and Plaque 1914-18 St. Stephen

St. Stephen’s Church Ayres Quay (closed 03/05/1959 and later demolished)

St. Mark’s Church (closed) Now Millfield Community Collective

1914-18

24th July 1921 Reredos unveiled by the Vicar Rev. D.B.L. Nedwill;
tablet unveiled by Councillor James Wilson;
dedicated by the Bishop of Durham.

Oak and brass.

Oak Reredos and tablet made by Messrs Joseph Taylor, Lindsay Road
Painted panels by Mr Thomas Scott, 24 Robinson Street
from designs from Messrs. Reed Millican & Co., Newcastle.

Roll
of
Honour

St Stephen’s, Ayres Quay A.D.1921
To the Glory of Jesus Christ
and in
Honour of the Men who gave their Lives for
God, King and Country in the Great War 1914-18
The reredos and this plaque
are erected by the voluntary offerings
of parishioners and friends

Be merciful, O Lord, give them light for evermore

Reredos and plaques.

The reredos is an elaborate frame of three panels showing the Crucifixion. Beneath these are the words “Holy Holy Holy”

The Roll of Honour comprises several panels. At the top is a frame with curved top, elaborately carved with a wreath at centre bearing the word “Roll of Honour”.

Below this is the plaque bearing the dedication. It is 10 inches high x 18 inches wide (25cms x 46cms), on which the lettering is incised and painted cream.

On each side there is a names panel 30 inches high x 8 inches wide (76cms x 20cms), each bearing 36 and 35 names in a single column on each.

Another plaque 15 inches high x 20 inches wide (38cms x 51cms) below the dedication plaque and between the two others carries more names in three columns.

Lettering is in sans serif capitals for the names.

1. St. Stephen’s sent over 500 men to the forces.

2. There may have been a Roll of Honour containing the names of those who served.

3. St. Stephen’s was one of the poorest working class parishes in Sunderland.

4. The Sunderland Echo 23/07/1921 reports that Mr Scott before the war had one of his paintings hung in the Royal Academy. During the war his right hand was badly damaged and necessity has compelled him to use his left and these three figures are the first big effort since. They are wonderfully drawn and painted.

5. By studying newspaper photos, it looks as though all five panels bearing the dedication and names were all in one piece originally, set up behind the font. Then it seems the whole was broken into five panels and fixed to the wall using the same layout.

6. St Mark’s closed for worship and the building was sold. The new owners agreed to mount the Roll of Honour on the wall in the main area (the nave) to the right of the St. George’s stained glass window.

Photos: Tony Redman; James Pasby; Dorothy Hall

Illustrated Chronicle
25/07/1921 reports unveiling.

Newcastle Daily Chronicle
25/07/1921 reports unveiling.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
30/07/1921 reports unveiling.

Sunderland Echo
07/04/1921; 23/07/1921 gives details of memorial above;
25/07/1921 reports unveiling with photo of reredos.
(Available on The British Newspaper Archive)

Sunderland Antiquarians have photos of the Church and memorial

Source of quotation
“Be merciful, O Lord . . .” Not ascertained, but reminiscent of the Mass for the Dead

C. Sanders;
Tony Redman;
Dorothy Hall;
Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale;
Sunderland Antiquarian Society

If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk