Research Notes

Parish Notes Northumberland

Spittal St John the Evangelist

[Population 1911: 1,943]

Church

The church of St. John the Evangelist, consecrated in 1871, is a stone building in the early English style, consisting of chancel, nave and south aisle, with foundation for tower to be erected at some future time. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of Durham, and held by the Rev. Evan Rutter, M.A., of Magdalen Hall, Oxford. [Kelly's Directory of Northumberland and Durham (1873), page 471.]

Brass plate in chancel.

In Memory of
Julia
Widow of I.S. Rutter
Who constantly worshipped in this Church during the last 14 years of her life
and
entered into rest
March 19^th 1885

Lord I have loved the habitation of Thy House,
and the place where Thine honour dwelleth. PSALM 26^TH VERSE 8
This brass plate is erected by her children in loving remembrance

Brass shield on lectern.

TO THE GLORY OF GOD
PRESENTED BY
KATHARINE RUTTER
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
JULIA RUTTER
AND IN
THANKFUL REMEMBRANCE
OF 37 YEARS MINISTRY BY
THE REV^D E. RUTTER
FIRST VICAR OF THIS PARISH

The church has only one stained glass window.

To the Glory of God, and in affectionate remembrance
of John Herbert Sutcliffe B.A. Vicar of this parish from 1908
to 1918, this window is dedicated by his parishioners & friends

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Townships

A large bronze plaque in the public garden on Askew Crescent in Spittal reads:

1925
THE HOUSES ERECTED ON THIS SITE ARE
THE GIFT TO THE BOROUGH
OF
WILLIAM HAGGERSTON ASKEW
OF LADYKIRK
IN COMMEMORATION OF THE LONG ASSOCIATION OF HIS FAMILY WITH THE TOWN OF
BERWICK-UPON-TWEED

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History

A framed notice near the entrance lists the incumbents of Spittal:

Evan Rutter                 1871-1908
John Herbert Sutcliffe      1908-1918
James Henry Cuthbertson     1919-1922
Thomas Peter Allan          1922-1926
Charles Hudson              1927-1934
William Robson              1935-1949
John Stanley Monks          1949-1954
George Alastair Elcoat      1955-1962
John Gordon Wragg           1962-1975
Philip Whitehead            1975-1988
James William Shewan        1988-

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The Parish Chest

In the church, by the font, are two large framed notices of all baptisms which have taken place at Spittal from 1873.

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