St Mary's (The Tin Church) Newton by the Sea Alnwick
01665 571314

Newton-by-the-sea

In the mid 13th century, the manor of Newton-by-the-sea was part of the barony of Vesci, which was "held by John Viscount for one knight's fee", Ownership of Newton passed to Simon de Montfort then to Edmund of Lancaster, Sir Lawrence de St Maur, and so on through the centuries. In 1725 the township, one of the ten constituting the Barony of Embleton, was divided, with part of it owned by several generations of the Forster family. Newton Hall is a late 18th century house built for Joseph Forster.

Low Newton (also called Newton Seahouses) was built in the early 19th century as fishermen's cottages, the gabled dormer windows being added in the mid 19th century. Some of these cottages are now owned by the National Trust. The Coastguard Station was built on top of the hill about 1828.

Census returns show a population of around 250 in Newton during the 19th century. The Northumberland County History, published in 1895, records that "Newton- by-the-sea is a township containing 1211 acres and a population of 220 persons".

Today, the population is a mix of residents, people with holiday homes, and visitors. The majority of residents travel out of the village to work, to nearby towns or to the Newcastle area. The National Trust owns much of the coastal land in the area, and also part of The Square at Low Newton.

<span style="font-size: 1rem;">Dedication</span>

In July 1997 Embleton PCC and the Diocese approved that Newton Mission Church should be dedicated to Saint Mary the Virgin. Saint Mary was chosen for two reasons.

Records tell us that in the fourteenth century, in the nearby township of Brunton, a Chapel in an unknown location was dedicated to the Mother of Jesus.

The Haven at Newton is known as either Saint Mary's or Newton Haven.

At a service on 13th September 1998 the Church was dedicated to Saint Mary the Virgin by the Bishop of Newcastle. This was a very memorable occasion attended by some 84 people.

Reredos Embroidery (Dorsal Curtain)

In 1997 the church committee commissioned the creation of the reredos. This embroidered panel behind the altar was designed and created in 1998 by Patricia Winskell, from Newcastle. The design expresses the name of the Church and its location:

At the center is the Light of the World, God the Holy Spirit, and Jesus with Mary in the loving, caring, nurturing and protecting character of the Mother of Jesus.

The sweeping, curved shapes represent the arms of Mary blending into the shape of St Mary's Haven and the sea. Boat sails are caught in the power of wind and wave and overhead fly twelve gulls (the Apostles).

Blues represent Mary and the sea, while gold symbolizes the glory of God and his creation. Silver is used to signify light.

The Lectern Fall was designed to complement the reredos. The four gulls in this case represent the four Evangelists.

Town Square, High Newton-by-the-Sea, NE66 3EA
(01665) 376112
joiners-arms.com

18th century former Manor House tastefully restored and refurbished following closure for two years. House ale St Marys reflects the name of the local Church and for every pint sold a donation is made towards the Church upkeep. Located on t...

Newton Square, Low Newton-by-the-Sea, NE66 3EL
(01665) 576262
shipinnnewton.co.uk

Nestling in the corner of a three-sided square of former fishermen's cottages around a green only a few yards from the beach and close to a nature reserve. This small pub's location is very picturesque and often busy with beer drinkers, see...