St John the Baptist Church, Newcastle upon Tyne

St John the Baptist Church is a Norman church on Grainger Street in Newcastle upon Tyne featuring a low square tower with small pinnacles and windows topped by flattened arches. The building sits at the junction of Grainger Street and Westgate Road, combining its medieval core with extensions added during the 20th century.

Founded in 1101, the church ranks among Newcastle's oldest religious buildings. It underwent major changes in the 13th century that shaped much of its current form.

Inside, medieval glass fragments display Newcastle's oldest known coat of arms, paired with a 15th-century font cover and a Jacobean pulpit. These pieces reflect the artistic evolution of the community across centuries.

The church is open for regular worship, with daily Eucharist services available. Meeting rooms and a hall built in the 1960s occupy part of what was once the surrounding graveyard.

A small opening in the wall once allowed an anchorite living above the sacristy to view the altar during services. This subtle architectural detail often goes unnoticed but reveals how medieval spaces were adapted for uncommon forms of religious life.

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Inception: 12 century

GPS coordinates: 54.97010,-1.61550

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:26