About Us

St Paul's is one of the four churches in the Parish of Jarrow and Simonside. The original monastic chapel was built in AD681 -685 and the chancel of today's church survives from that date, together with the oldest dated (AS685) dedication stone of any church in England. 

The church and its associated monastery were one half of the twin monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow, which was founded by Benedict Biscop, and was home to St Bede, the Venerable.  Biscop was famous for his travels to Rome, and for importing European craftsmen, and with them the art of stained glass.  St Paul's contains a window made up of fragments of C7th glass uncovered by an archeological dig in the 1970's.

We celebrate the Parish Eucharist at 11.00am each Sunday morning (apart from the first Sunday of the month, when our All-age Service at 10.00am rotates around the churches of the parish.)

Other services for pilgrims can be offered by arrangement.

We welcome some 60,000 visitors and pilgrims each year.  In winter the church is open daily

Summer opening hours are 10.30 am - 3.30 pm (Monday to Saturday) 2.00pm - 4.00pm  (Sunday) 

Winter opening hours are 11.00 am - 3.00 pm (Monday to Saturday) 2.00 - 3.30 pm (Sunday)

To book a group visit please phone 0191 489 1925 or email  [email protected]

Full details can be found here: https://www.parishofjarrowandsimonside.info/