Photo gallery
Father Lee’s Institution
2nd April 2025
After 21 months of inter-regnum we are delighted to welcome Revd Lee Taylor as Vicar of Berwick.
Father Lee was instituted at a service in Berwick Parish Church led by Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Newcastle, and supported by 24 other robed clergy, including the Bishop of Berwick, the Archdeacon of Lindisfarne, the Dean of Newcastle, the Vice-Dean of Durham and the Area Dean of Norham Deanery.
Ray Simpson farewell
23rd February 2025
Berwick Parish church was full on Sunday morning as Revd. Ray Simpson preached his last sermon before his move from Berwick after over 30 years in the area.
Ray is now moving south to the care community of St Barnabas in Lingfield, Surrey.
January 2025
Snowdrops are blooming in the churchyard.
Fauré Requiem
Our All Souls Requiem Mass on Sunday 3 November was the second year that we have invited singers in the area to join us in singing the Fauré Requiem in its liturgical context. This was particularly fitting as 4 November was the hundredth anniversary of Gabriel Fauré’s death. This service is unusual, in that the choir sits in the congregation pews to remind them that when they sing in church, they are also the congregation and that they are not performing the Requiem for an audience; it is their personal offering on behalf of the departed. We were very fortunate in having Matthew Beetschen on the organ, who creates such wonderful colours and supported the choir and soloists magnificently. The Pie Jesu was beautifully sung by our very own choir member Kuniko Toda and the baritone solos were sung with great authority and intensity by Paul Grant, who performs throughout Europe, including La Scala, Milan! How lucky we are to have such talent helping us to intercede on behalf those who are no longer with us.
Click here for photos.
Kammerchor Belcando 23 October 2024
Manab and friends in concert
28 September 2024
Manab Naskar and friends gave a concert in church on Saturday 28 September 2024.
Click here for photos.
Solar Panel Blessing
22 September 2024
On 22 September Rt Revd Mark Wroe, Bishop of Berwick, joined us for a service of blessing of our new solar panels.
Click here for more photos.
Emerson Wind Quintet
31 August 2024
On 31 August the church welcomed the Emerson Wind Quintet along with our Director of Music, Kit Hobkirk, for a concert in aid of the Berwick Food Bank and church funds.. Click here for more photos.
Big sing in aid of RNLI
29 June 2024
On 29 June the church welcomed three choirs who joined together for a choral workshop in aid of the RNLI. Click here for more photos.
Talk on King James Bible
7 June 2024
On Friday, June 7, a capacity audience in Berwick Parish Centre heard Professor John Barton deliver a fascinating talk on the King James and other translations of The Bible. The talk had been arranged by Berwick Parish Church Trust in conjunction with the Berwick Literary Festival, as a contribution to the programme commemorating the 400th anniversary of Berwick Bridge John Barton, who was Professor of The Interpretation of Holy Scripture at Oxford University, had given his talk a lengthy title – “Authorised and Unauthorised Versions: Bridges or Barriers? The King James Bible and its Modern Successors” – but his relaxed delivery and interesting insights into the translators’ art kept his audience enthralled.
Click here for full article and here to view a video of the talk.
Solar panel installation
Intallation 21-24 May 2024
Commissioning 15 August
Finished ahead of schedule, our hidden solar panels and battery storage will be reducing our carbon footprint and making money within the next few weeks – as soon as the fire safe cupboard has been made around the batteries and inverter.
The church is grateful to local company Maden Eco for their swift and respectful execution of the work and extremely grateful to the following contributors for their funding: the CoRE Legacy Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation, Benefact Trust, Aviva Community Fund and to the community of Berwick, parishioners and congregation, for their generous support.
The support and advice of the Newcastle Diocese, the Church Buildings Council and Northumberland County Council Planning Dept has also been highly valued.
Spanish evening
11 May 2024
Former curate John Vilseca was head chef for a delightful evening of Spanish cuisine, much enjoyed by all.
Tom’s licensing
1 May 2024
A number of us travelled to Dalton-in-Furness to support Tom and Sam as Tom was licensed by the Bishop of Penrith (and acting Bishop of Carlisle) as priest in charge of the benefice of St Mary’s, Dalton-in-Furness, and St Peter’s, Ireleth with Askam.
Benches and cycle rack in churchard
April 2024
The Eco group is continuing its work on greening of the churchyard with these benches for those that wish to relax and contemplate nature. A cycle rack has also been installed to encourage those that wish to cycle to church and help save the planet.
Walk for the Environment
Lent 2024
Walking the length of the Northumberland Coastal Path in all weathers, friends and families of Berwick Parish Church raised £6000 for the Church Carbon Neutral Project.
Easter flowers
March 2024
Thank you to all the flower ladies for the wonderful flowers for Easter Day!
Bird boxes
March 2024
Children North East recently worked with Anne and with Paul to put up their bird boxes (their design and construction) in the churchyard.
Berwick Baroque Players
16 March 2024
Berwick Parish Church hosted the first public concert by the Berwick Baroque players in a concert in aid of church funds featuring works by Bach, Scarlatti and Porpora.
Dennis’s last Sunday
9 July 2023
After nine years service to the parish, Dennis retired on 1st August 2023. Sunday 9th July was his last Sunday, and this was marked by a reception in the Guildhall on the Saturday, attended by local dignatories, church members, and representatives of the many whose lives Dennis’s ministry has touched.
Coronation of King Charles III
5 May 2023
What a memorable day! We had a fantastic day celebrating the coronation of King Charles 111 together, with a street party and the Coronation Commemoration Service. Thank you to the social committee and everyone who worked so hard to make the afternoon such a memorable…