Church of St Mary Magdalene

St_Mary_Magdelene_Church.jpg

Church grounds

The Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene, Whalton, is on raised ground to the south of the village, provides a local landmark, seen from many miles away.  A Grade 1 listed building, its tower and origins are probably 11th century, with the west respond (a half-pillar or half-pier attached to a wall to support an arch) of the north aisle, 12th century.  This is thought to illustrate that there was at least a north aisle by the early 12th century but its present form results from extensive remodelling in the 13th century.  There are elements of the building that survive from this time including the double chamfered three bay arcades and the west lancets of the aisles.  To the north is the Ogle Chapel, with at its east end, a large corbel with the Ogle arms.  The Ogle Chapel includes early armorial floor slabs of 1564, 1566, and 1613, and early 19th century wall monuments to the Ogle family by E H Baily, a prodigious public sculptor probably best known for his sculpture of Lord Nelson in London’s Trafalgar Square.  

The chancel windows, which date to an 1890 restoration by Hicks and Charlewood, are augmented by 14th century reticulated tracery in the chancel’s east and south aisle east windows. 

The font dates from the 1400s. 

The church clock, still in working order, is an example of an 18th century single handed clock face on the east side of the tower.

 A detailed guide of its history and architecture by Dr Geoffrey Briggs is available in the church. 

The church is open every day from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm and welcomes visitors.  Many visitors come to see the historic church and “The Whalton Christ”, a unique combination of photographs of the Whalton community that together make an image of the head of Christ.  It was created for the Millennium. 

Whalton is one of five churches in the Benefice, the others being St Andrew’s, Bolam, St Giles, Netherwitton, St Andrew’s, Hartburn and St John the Evangelist in Meldon, that are all in regular use, of significant historic interest and extremely picturesque. 

The church and its community play its part in the annual Whalton Village Show (usually the third Saturday in September) and various other fundraising events.   

Whalton Church of England School Primary School is next to the church.  The school enjoys a regular monthly service in church and take part in many other activities including Easter, Harvest Festival, Remembrance Day and Christmas.  They have designed guides to the village which are available in the church. http://www.whalton.northumberland.sch.uk/website

 

Services:

Holy Communion - usually on the third Sunday of the month  - is at 10.30am. 

Family Service/Matins on the fourth Sunday of the month at 10.30am.   

The service schedule can be found in the Parish Magazine linked in the section below. 

 

Ministry team: 

Priest in Charge - vacant

Interim Minister: Revd Fiona Sample       South Middleton, Morpeth, NE61 4EB         

01670 774245   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.         

Associate Lay Minister: Mrs Pam Walker: The Tower House, Hartburn,

01670 772301   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Parochial Church Council members and Church Wardens:

 

Church Warden – this role is vacant at the moment

 

Parochial Church Council (PCC) members:

Prof Gary Holmes

Hugh Lough

Wendy Sheldon (secretary)

James Rainbow (treasurer)

Lady Bradbeer

Lucy Bird (lay chair)

Rev Fiona Sample (Chair)

Mrs Pam Walker MBE

 

 

Parish Magazine:

“The Benefice News” covers St Mary Magdalene, Whalton and the other four parishes  in the Benefice. 

To the latest edition of the Parish Newsletter is available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iP1ShmfIPf2ZRecQzLTMSSc64UUVIE8W/view

If you have any articles for the next edition please email the Editor Roisel Thompson This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Articles and information for inclusion in the News should be sent to the editor by 15th of each month 6pm

If you would prefer a hard copy of the newsletter please contact the PCC Secretary. 

 

 

To view the church from above please click on this linkAerial View of Whalton Church