Parish Church of St Paul, Jarrow

The Parish Church of St Paul in Jarrow is a church building with a remarkable structural history spanning over 1,000 years. The structure displays both early medieval features in its chancel and Gothic elements in sections built at later periods.

The origins trace back to 681 when the church was founded as part of a major Benedictine monastery. A significant stone from 685 documents the founding and remains one of England's oldest written records of this type.

The church sits within a monastic complex that once served as a major learning center in medieval times. Visitors can sense this scholarly heritage when walking through the space today.

The building is open daily to visitors and provides parking nearby along with pathways to the neighboring monastery ruins. The paths are relatively flat, making it comfortable to explore.

An old stone block with an inscription remains visible in the church wall, displaying the names of the two founders from the 7th century. This written evidence of the founding is extremely rare and makes the location particularly valuable for understanding this early period.

Location: County Durham

Location: South Tyneside

Inception: 681

Part of: Monkwearmouth-Jarrow Abbey

Website: https://parishofjarrowandsimonside.info/our-churches-and-congregations/st-pauls

GPS coordinates: 54.98040,-1.47219

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:00