View of St. Peter Ad Vincula Church, Thornaby. Of 12th century origin, a place of worship existed at the time of the Domesday Book, 1086. The church consists of a nave, porch and bell turrret. A small cemetery of 6 acres opened in 1869. Seating accomodation for 80 people. The church was originally dedicated to St Mary Magdalene. On the outside wall are two ancient stones, one with a runic inscription, the other with a carved design,
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Captain James Cook’s mother Grace Pace was baptised here in 1702
My father in law is Bill Matthews, so I may be married to you best friend although I suspect it is one of the sisters, Linda or Penny you are talking about. Bill Matthews is retired now living in Jersey. We (Julie Matthews and me) were married in this church,the Rev Bill did the service and gave the bride away, he was very versatile. This is a photograph taken when the road and green were flooded with rain, its not a pond. Could be 1963, do you remember that massive thunderstorm?
Interested to see this old picture of St Peter’s. I went every Sunday as a child in the 60’s.. my best friend’s dad was the vicar there (Bill Matthews – also at St Paul’s up near Mandale). There was no pond near it that I can recall but it used to be packed on Sundays. Me and my best friend used to lurk in the vestry (such as it was .. the church is tiny) and be called out by her dad to bring the collection plates. Being kids we always used to keep some coppers out of our own collection envelopes to go to the newsagent on Thornaby Rd to buy sherbert!.. St Peter’s was a fantastic place to go to Sunday School – I seem to recall a lady called Mrs Freeman there (used to live in a bungalow on Thornaby Rd?.. Did she play the organ? Memory is a bit hazy. I can also recall Gala’s held on the Green near the church late 60’s/early 70’s. Does anyone else remember the congregation then?
Hello Karen. I remember you well. This is Mrs. Pauline Freeman. Yes this church and Sunday school with Bill Matthews guiding us, was a wonderful place to belong to in those days. It was always packed and everyone was welcome. Yes, I did play the organ and I ran the Sunday School. We had amazing outings to so many places. We had a wonderful congregation and I still see some of them as I now live on the Green near the church. We have many happy memories.