About Us

St John's is the Anglican Parish Church of Birtley, previously in the Deanery of Chester-le-Street & Houghton, and recently changed to the Deanery of Gateshead, in the Diocese of Durham.

The Church was built in 1848 and is mock Norman in design. It was extended in the later 1800's when two transepts and two vestries were added. In the mid 1960's a nave Sanctuary, altar and altar rail were added.
In the 1990's quite extensive refurbishment of the building was carried out and some further reordering, particularly of the entrance and west end vestry areas. The tower houses 6 bells and a clock with quarter and hour chiming.
A two manual 'Tracker action' organ is situated in the Chancel. We do not currently have a permanent organist and the organ has not been in regular use in recent years, but we are aiming to carry out some repairs and hope to be fully functional again soon.

The Church Electoral role numbers 55 (2026), and there are two main weekly Services. The main Sunday 9.30am Communion Service attracts around 30 people most Sundays. Music is central and is usually provided by a small music group. The Thursday Communion Service at 10 am is also popular. This is usually a "said" service. There are refreshments in the nearby Church Hall after the Sunday Service and in the Church on Thursdays. Accessible toilets are also available in the Hall. 

Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals are offered in St John's. Baptisms in particular are numerous across the year. For information about any of these, please use the email link on the Get in touch page or the website. There are also special services including an annual Christingle service at Christmastime. This supports The Children's Society. Check out our Events page for details. 

For more detailed information on St John's and its ministries, please visit our website or contact the Vicar, Rev'd Steve Edge using the email link on the Get in touch page or the website.