A prefabricated polygonal structure of the 1970s, with laminated timber frame. The seating came from Pugin & Pugin’s church at Port Clarence. 

The parish was erected in 1962, to serve a suburban housing estate on the edge of Billingham. The present church was built in 1978. The architect/designer has not been established, but the prefabricated structure is typical of the type built in large numbers at that time by Lanners of Wakefield. The church was furnished with seating from the then recently-demolished Pugin & Pugin church of St Thomas, Port Clarence. The presbytery was demolished in 2010, and the church is now served from Holy Rosary, Billingham.  

Description

The small octagonal church is orientated with the entrance facing roughly northwest and the sanctuary to the southeast. It is faced in a dark blue brick laid in stretcher bond with a cement roof tiled and eaves gutters. The apex of the roof is surmounted by a metal fleche with a cross finial.  Full-height windows are aluminium-framed, with external metal grilles for protection.

Inside the single volume has glulam wooden trusses to the roof, and walls are lined with a fair-faced buff coloured brick. The floor is laid with wood blocks, partly covered with carpet. The fittings include Gothic-style oak pews and sanctuary chairs from the mother church at Port Clarence, and a modern oak altar and ceramic font bowl on a simple oak plinth.  The second entrance has been adapted to serve as a confessional.

Heritage Details