About our Parish
English Martyrs, Fenham
The English Martyrs for whom the parish is named are a group of Catholic men and women executed for their faith between 1535 and 1679. This collective title primarily refers to the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, a representative group of 40 individuals canonised by Pope Paul VI in 1970. They came from all walks of life - including priests, monks, and laypeople - and were executed during the Reformation for refusing to renounce their faith or recognise the monarch as the supreme head of the Church.
The parish also has strong ties to the "Northern Martyrs," many of whom were executed specifically in the local area, including Newcastle and Durham. One prominent figure is St John Boste, one of the Forty Martyrs, who was executed in Durham after being tortured in London. These individuals are collectively celebrated on their feast day, 4 May, which honors the 284 canonised or beatified martyrs of the English Reformation. Their legacy is a central part of the parish identity, serving as a testament to steadfast devotion despite intense persecution.
St. Cuthbert, Kenton
The parish of St Cuthbert in Kenton was formally established in 1939, carrying forward a mission that began in the Coxlodge area in the mid-19th century. The current church on Balmain Road was designed by the Newcastle architect David Brown and opened in 1960. A significant architectural reordering took place in 1995, which modernised the interior layout and introduced a distinctive stained-glass sanctuary window by Ralph Pattisson, depicting St Cuthbert’s Island as seen from Lindisfarne.
The parish is named after St Cuthbert, the 7th-century Bishop of Lindisfarne and the patron saint of Northumbria. Known as the "Wonder Worker of Britain," Cuthbert was a monk and hermit celebrated for his deep devotion and his connection to the natural world. Following his death in 687, his body was found to be incorrupt, and his remains were eventually brought to Durham Cathedral to protect them from Viking raids. Today, his legacy of prayer and leadership remains the spiritual cornerstone of the Kenton Catholic community.
Contact
English Martyrs
176 Stamfordham Rd,
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 3JR
St Cuthbert
Balmain Rd, Kenton,
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3QR
Get in touch
englishmartyrs.newcastle@diocesehn.org.uk
+44 (0) 191 286 9246
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