St Michael and All Angels Church, Houghton-le-Spring

St Michael and All Angels Church is a medieval church building in Houghton-le-Spring that shows different construction periods in its structure: a late 12th-century chancel, a 14th-century nave, and 19th-century aisles. These layered additions create an interior that documents several centuries of architectural development.

Construction of this church began around 1150 on the foundations of an earlier Saxon religious site. Visible remains such as the original doorway beneath floor glass panels demonstrate that the land served as a place of worship for over a thousand years.

Bernard Gilpin shaped the church as rector from 1557 to 1583 through his work in religious education across northern England. His tomb shows how deeply this clergyman was rooted in local history.

The church remains open to visitors and houses Kepier Hall, a community space that has existed since 1574. Regular services take place, so visitors should check ahead about when the building is available for visits outside worship times.

Archaeological digs beneath the church uncovered whinstone boulders and Roman stones. These finds suggest the location served continuously as a religious site for thousands of years, long before the current structure was built.

Location: Houghton-le-Spring

Location: Sunderland

Inception: 12 century

GPS coordinates: 54.84300,-1.46900

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:03