St Mary's is the former parish church in Woodhorn, Northumberland, near Newbiggin by the Sea. The church is one of the oldest in Northumberland and incorporates Saxon, Norman and Gothic-style architecture. The nave and west tower are Pre-Conquest, the north and south aisles are 12th century, whilst the eastern arches of arcades and chancel arch are 13th century. Parts of the church were rebuilt by B. & J. Green of Newcastle in 1843.[1] The church was declared redundant in 1973 and was taken over by the local authority and was used as a museum and cultural centre. The building was later put up for sale. The church is Grade I listed. Former parish church with surviving pre-Conquest elements. Significant rebuilding work took place throughout the C12 and C13 before a major rebuild was carried out in 1843-44 by B & J Green architects. The church closed as a place of worship in 1972 and was subsequently used as a museum and workspace for artists. Structural movement has been identified in some parts of the building and other repairs are required. Designated Site Name:CHURCH OF ST MARY WOODHORN CHURCH MUSEUMHeritage Category:Listed Building grade IList Entry Number:1304471Local Planning Authority:Northumberland (UA)Site Type:Religious ritual and funerary > Church Location
Building Name:Church of St MaryLocality:WoodhornUnitary Authority:Northumberland (UA)Parish:Newbiggin by the SeaParliamentary Constituency:WansbeckRegion:North East and Yorkshire Assessment Information
Assessment Type:Building or structureCondition:PoorOccupancy / Use:Vacant/not in usePriority:C - Slow decay; no solution agreedPrevious Priority:COwnership:Local authority The Church of St. Mary the Virgin at Woodhorn Village lies within a mile of the sea, near Newbiggin. The name means 'a wooded point of land'. It has sometimes been identified with Wucestre, one of the villages given to St. Cuthbert by King Ceolwulf when he gave up the Northumbrian throne in AD737 to become a monk at Lindisfarne. The church is reputed to be the oldest on the Northumbrian coast with a religious life extendinmg for at least 1200 years. There are various types of architecture including Saxon, Norman and Gothic. One of the most valuable treasures of the church is the recumbent effigy of Agnes de Valence, wife of Hugh Balliol, who was brother to Edward Balliol, King of Scotland. The effigy dates from the 13thC and is described as 'the best and purest specimen of monumental sculpture of the finest mediaeval period in the Archdeconary'. A mediaeval bell inscribed 'Ave MAria' is reputed to be one of the oldest in existence. St. Mary's was declared redundant in 1973 and was taken over by the local authority as a museum, cultural centre and private chapel. It is now used imaginatively for exhibitions, meetings, concerts and a permanent display of museum objects.
