Newcastle
35 Blackett Street
Last Updated:
6 Nov 2024
Newcastle
This is a
Town Defences, Chapel, Place of Worship, YMCA
54.973910, -1.613501
Founded in
Current status is
Demolished
Designer (if known):
John Dobson, Oliver & Lamb, J W Taylor
Now part of the Eldon Square development
We land right next to Monument, facing our own little glass Flatiron. It has featured some of the most stunning buildings in the whole town. Here’s a history.
If we peel back the historical layers, this was originally the site of the Fickett Tower, one of the city’s most ruined bastions along the town wall by the 18th century. It was demolished in the 1820s to make way for the Chapel of St James’, shown in the 4th image - an engraving by TM Richardson. This chapel was first of the Church of Scotland persuasion but after financial constraints became purely Presbyterian, and is one of Dobson’s long forgotten buildings in the city. It does make me wonder if the St James’ name has any links with the football ground?
This one lasted until the 1850s, when funding was sought to build a grander expansion. Bazaars were held to construct a building of more convenience and comfort to the worshippers, with a congregation growing by the day. Oliver & Lamb designed this second iteration to fit 700 worshippers. This gorgeous building, 2nd image, is of the Anglo Italian style an lad featured a spacious hall & Sunday school inside. The innards were laden with stained deal and chandeliers with stained glass on the most prominent windows. A marble statue of Havelock featured also.
The church ended up moving to Bath Road in the 1880s, which is when the YMCA took up tenancy and when more familiar ground comes. Previously occupying West Clayton Street then Hood Street 53 Grey Street, they moved here in 1884. They weren’t really the stereotype we expect today - they were a fundamentally spiritual organisation providing the social, moral & physical necessities for their members. A faith based social club if you will.
They actually outgrew the chapel in 16 years, and their success led to yet another replacement. The building in the 3rd photograph was opened by Victorian’s son Arthur, with the foundation stone laid by Emmerson Bainbridge MP a few years before. It was designed by JW Taylor at a cost of £50k, and upon opening a 6 gun salute was fired from Heaton. It featured two halls to fit 700 and 300 respectively, a library and separate reading room as well as commercial premises on the ground floor. It was an absolute monolith in the city centre.
The last puzzle of the piece came in 1970, when it came to be replaced by Eldon Square. This site really embodies the living and breathing town constantly evolving to suit the masses. I wonder what’ll be next?
Listing Description (if available)
Both maps above illustrate the Blackett Street area in the 1760s to the 1830s, with the 1909 plan overlaid in red. Fickett Tower is on the northern precipice of the town, with Northumberland Street and the "Edinburgh Road" enveloping it. From the Fickett Tower to the Bigg Markett, much of the land was open gardens - part of Anderson Place and St Bartholomews Nunnery. High Friars, a street that still stood until the Eldon Square development, can also be seen.
The 1830s plan still shows the site of the Fickett Tower, but the whole of Newcastle had an entirely different layout before Grainger Town. It is interesting to mull over Blackett Street, which was quite literally laid over the northern wall. Monboucher Tower and the New Gate follows the line.
The 1890s Ordnance Survey illustrates the YMCA building which stood on the Fickett Tower site. This was still the chapel building, and only a few years later would be rebuilt. You'll notice the Presbyterian Church, soon to be replaced by the Emerson Chambers. High Friars, as noted, is still in situ.
The site of Fickett Tower, chapel and the YMCA building in September 2024
The Oliver & Lamb chapel, which was converted into the YMCA until enlargement at the turn of the century. Source: Newcastle Libraries
The later iteration of the YMCA building in the 60s/70s. Source: Newcastle Libraries