St Andrews District - History

The prosperity of Sunderland at the turn of the 20th century, the growth of the shipbuilding industry and the improvement of the docks led to considerable urban development and the establishment of new suburbs. One of these was Roker, centred on the public park and exploiting the scenic potential of the coast. The other was the village of Fulwell, an older but expanding area served by a mission church - now long demolished - all of which compounded the reasons for the proposal to build a new church.

Late in 1903 therefore, the Roker and Fulwell New Church Committee was set up to raise money for a new church. A public appeal was launched and the Diocese approached with regard to the division of the existing parish of Monkwearmouth. The appeal was only partly successful and as a consequence, in 1904, Mr. John Priestman, a wealthy local shipyard owner and businessman, stepped in to become the church's patron and principal benefactor. He and his family had at that time been considering making a memorial to their late mother, Jane Priestman, and to this end the sum of £6000 was promised - upon certain conditions - toward the erection of the new church.

Priestman was a man of radical taste and strong individualism and it is likely that the then Bishop of Durham, Dr. Handley Moule introduced him to the architect Edward Prior, with whom the Bishop was acquainted. Priestman and Prior met and agreed the principal matters regarding the design of the proposed church and in 1905 sketch plans were commenced. By the end of that year the final drawings had been completed, the plans approved and a site for the church provided. The approval of the Diocese regarding the division of Monkwearmouth Parish was obtained in 1906 when the foundations of the new church were laid. The building was completed and dedicated in June 1907.

A Lych Gate was added to the south east corner of the site as a War Memorial in 1920 and later in 1927/28, a large Church Hall was added to the west end of the church. In 1927 alterations were made to the interior of the church when a mural, which it had been hoped to provide in 1907, was finally added to the Sanctuary. A peal of bells was added in 1948 after the second World War, as a memorial to those killed in that conflict. Since then changes such as alteration to existing lighting and heating systems have been made to the church, and over the years many generous gifts have also been incorporated into the building, all of which has enhanced it so that it is worthy of bearing the title of "The Cathedral of the Arts and Crafts Movement".