Churchs Attraction of Sunderland

St. Andrew’s Church

St. Andrew’s Church, built at Roker in 1906-7, has been described as ‘the Cathedral of the Arts & Crafts Movement’. It was designed for Sir John Priestman, a local philanthropic shipbuilder, and is full of interest and attractive detail. The ebony and silver lectern, pulpit and altar furniture are by Ernest Gimson; Eric Gill engraved the stone tablets; the Burne-Jones tapestry and carpets came from the William Morris workshops; the font is by Randall Wells; the stained glass windows are by H.A. Payne and the chancel murals by Macdonald Gill. Sir John Betjeman referred to the church as ‘a twentieth century building that may reasonably lay claim to greatness….. A bold and imaginative experiment which has triumphantly succeeded.

Address:
Talbot Road,
Roker,
Sunderland
Tel: 0191 516 0135

Sunderland Minster, St. Michael & All Angels

Situated in the City Centre, St. Michael’s was originally a small village church in the early Middle Ages. It was later replaced by more significant buildings, and the present church is mainly 19th Century with medieval fragments. Inaugurated as the Minster for the City of Sunderland in January 1998, it builds on Sunderland’s heritage as one of the earliest centres of Christianity and establishes a powerful link with our proud past. As a monastery that was traditionally a centre of learning, the Sunderland Minster also offers a modern library that is available to the public - a Cyber Cafe.

Address:
High Street West,
Sunderland
Tel: 0191 565 4066

St. Peter’s Church

St. Peter’s Church is one of the most important sites in early Christian history in the country. A detailed contemporary account of its foundation in 674AD still exists, written by the Venerable Bede, who lived and worked there. Benedict Biscop, the Northumbrian nobleman who built it, had travelled to Rome for inspiration and was determined to build a monastery which was to become one of the greatest centres of Christian culture and learning in Europe. The Saxon west tower and wall are the most interesting features, with fine examples of Saxon masonry and windows. An octagonal chapter house was added for the 13th centenary of the church in 1974.

Address:
St. Peter’s Way,
Monkwearmouth,
Sunderland
Tel: 0191 516 0135