St Cuthbert’s Church, Haydon Bridge

St Cuthbert’s Church at Haydon Bridge in Northumberland is known as the ‘new church’. Although it dates back to the 1790s and possesses the sophistication of fine Georgian architecture, some of its masonry came from its older predecessor which was located up a steep hill and away from the town’s dwellings. A few bits of carved stone from that other building are also found at the back of the nave, a poignant reminder than this ‘new’ church has an older heritage.

The church authorities in the eighteenth century were right to move the church to be closer to the people. We should bring the gospel to those who need to hear it, and not just hope they will stumble across a Bible or chapel and ask what they need to do to be saved. We should also remove as many barriers as possible to people joining us and sharing with us the wonderful truth of Jesus Christ. This should not be at the expense of the truth, however. Getting people to church or a belief in God without a reviving, personal salvation is a waste of everyone’s time. Liberal churches, take note.

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2

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