Roman Catholic Church of St Robert

From the mid-1600s, Catholics in Morpeth would worship in various places in the area. Jesuits would come from Longhorsley to celebrate Mass in Morpeth. In 1767, it was recorded that Catholics used a house in Bullers Green as a chapel. In 1778, a house that was situated opposite the current church was bought to be used as a chapel. It became St Bede's Chapel and had a presbytery next to it. Construction of the chapel and presbytery was £850 and it was paid by a Thomas Riddell from Swinburne. In 1779, Benedictines from Douai came to Morpeth and started to serve the mission in and around Morpeth.

In 1848, plans were drawn up by the priest, a Fr Lowe, for the construction of St Robert of Newminster Church. Fundraising started and on 20 August 1848 the foundation stone of the church was laid. On 13 September 1849, the church was opened and on 1 August 1850 the church was consecrated by William Hogarth, the Apostolic Vicar of the Northern District. Decoration of the church took three years to do after its opening. The stained glass was done by William Wailes. The decorating was done by a Mr Gill. The rood screen was made by a local workman, Mr Manners. The church organ came from an old local chapel in Newcastle and was brought over by a Mr Davies. The total cost of the church came to…