Our Lady of the Rosary

1949 saw a new Roman Catholic parish established at Shotley Bridge, prior to which worshippers attended St Mary’s R C Church in Blackhill. For a time Mass was said each Sunday in the King’s Head Hotel, but in 1952 the first Roman Catholic church in the village – Our Lady of the Rosary – was built on Snows Green Road, with seating for 120 and a church hall attached.

The church was built on the site of Derwent House, which was demolished in the 1930s. The church architect was Anthony J Rossi who also designed St Patrick’s Church in Consett. This simple round-arched design was built early in his career, before he developed his later distinctive style.

At one time, the sanctuary contained a large mural of the Virgin Mary by local artist Sheila Mackie, who died in 2010. However, this was later painted over following fire damage to the building.

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