St Paul's Church, Whitley Bay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Paul's Church, Whitley Bay
St Paul's Church in Whitley Bay Town Centre
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Anglo-Catholic
History
Dedication	Saint Paul
Architecture
Heritage designation	Grade II
Architect(s)	Anthony Salvin
Administration
Deanery	Tynemouth
Diocese	Diocese of Newcastle
Province	Province of York

St Paul's Church is a special church in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, United Kingdom. It is a place where people gather for worship and community events. The church was founded in 1864. Its official name is St Paul's Church, Cullercoats, but it is actually located near the center of Whitley Bay town.

History of St Paul's Church

The church building was designed by a famous architect named Anthony Salvin. He created it for the Duke of Northumberland. The church is considered an important historical building. It is officially recognized as a Grade II listed building by English Heritage. This means it has special historical or architectural importance.

What Happens at the Church Today

St Paul's Church is a busy place. It creates a regular newsletter and a magazine for its community. The church also hosts fun events each year. These include a summer fair and the St Nicholas Fair and Festival. These events usually happen during the first weekend of Advent.

The church has leaders called churchwardens. As of 2025, Sandra Graham and Lilian Martin help manage the church.

Church Leadership and Tradition

For a long time, St Paul's Church followed a traditional style of worship. This is known as the Traditional Catholic tradition. In the past, the church chose not to have women as priests. Because of this, it received guidance from a special bishop.

However, the church has changed its mind about this. It now welcomes women priests. The church now receives its guidance from the Bishop of Newcastle.

How the Church is Run

A group called the parochial church council (PCC) helps run St Paul's Church. This council makes sure the church's daily activities, money, and building are well managed. The PCC has 22 members. They meet once a month to discuss important matters.

The council includes two clergy members (like priests) and a lay reader. It also has two churchwardens and a treasurer. Other members represent the church at wider meetings. These include meetings with the Diocese of Newcastle and the Tynemouth Deanery. Most members of the council are elected by the church community.

Important Leaders of the Church

Many important people have served at St Paul's Church. Some have gone on to become bishops in other parts of the country.

• Norman Banks was the vicar from 1990 to 2000. He later became the Bishop of Richborough.
• Paul Bayes served as a curate at St Paul's from 1979 to 1982. He later became the Bishop of Liverpool.

Past Vicars of St Paul's

Here is a list of the vicars who have led St Paul's Church over the years:

Music at St Paul's

St Paul's Church has a choir with about 15 singers. Music has always been an important part of the church. A former organist, John Percival Forster, played the organ at St Paul's for six years. He served from 1912 to 1916. Sadly, he was killed during a big battle called the Battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916. He was only 28 years old. There is a special plaque near the altar in the church that remembers him.

See also

• List of new churches by Anthony Salvin