Church of St John, Alnmouth
Alnmouth
Last Updated:
9 Jan 2026
Alnmouth
55.388458, -1.612390
Site Type:
Church, Place of Worship
Origin:
Status:
Extant
Designer (if known):
Matthew Thompson
Listed Grade II
This is the Church of St John, the exact church which replaced the Chapel of Ease at Hindmarsh Hall.
It's a very pretty, wholly 19th century place of worship for the village of Alnmouth. You know its new too, as like many churches on this trek there are no defensive or strategic elements, just pure decoration and confidence in line with the aspirations of Alnmouth at the time.
It dates from 1876 after villagers struggle with the improper conducting of services in the granary. It gotten to the point it was too small and somewhat embarrassing to not have their own purpose built. The Duke of Northumberland and Major Browne of Lesbury (the Chief Constable of Northumberland) provided liberal funds to build on the site of the former back gardens of Prospect Place. It was constructed of local sandstone to accommodate 200 worshippers, though even before consecration it was feared this wouldn't be enough for the summer visitors who were hoped to traipse to the coast. The Duke was present for the consecration undertaken by the Bishop of Durham.
It forms a dominant staple in the townscape, most notable thanks to its large broach spire which sits elevated over the surrounding historic buildings on the main lane. Such will certainly have been purposeful as a coastal landmark, like the Bamburgh Castles and Lindisfarne.
The church was designed by Matthew Thompson. You might also recognise his work at Newcastle, where he designed the Newcastle Central Post Office and the Victoria Buildings on Grainger Street. The Church of St James at Riding Mill is also one of his works.
Listing Description
The two plans shown here depict Alnmouth from the 1840s (on the tithe plan) and the 1860s (on the first Ordnance Survey). Alnmouth develops as a linear ribbon-like village due to the constraints between the Aln and the rising ground & dunes on the east. You'll also notice the long and thin burgage plots extending behind the properties which only accentuate how old this settlement is - probably Saxon times and developed into a port and market thereafter.
Interestingly however you'll notice it isn't a traditional village. It was binded as a junior to the parish of Lesbury. The crossing direct to Hipsburn was only constructed in the 1860s, so all traffic was routed through via Lesbury so was never its own parish. This is especially the case after the demise of St John in the late 18th century which went hand in hand with the short periodic decline of the village. Hindmarsh Hall provided an interim solution as people gained more interest in visiting for pleasure, but St John would later find its place.
St John would later stand in the rear gardens of Prospect Place, identified next to the right of the A on Archibalds Place (the old name for Northumberland Street). As much of the land was owned by the Duke anyway, he simply provided the gardens for the church.
The Church of St John had been extant for over two decades by this point, serving pride of place in the centre of the village. Hindmarsh Hall, the old chapel, went on to play its own civic role for village meetings, events and the like but retains its prominence on the main street. It almost certainly played a spiritual role though - you only have to look at the frontage. Other social infrastructure also developed within the few decades - the bedding in of the golf club, hotels and pubs dominate the main lane and its own municipal infrastructure appears like the Gas Works. The Vicarage was of course also added to provided a permanent residence to the clergyman of St John.
Church of St John at Alnmouth in November 2025
The church and wider Alnmouth in 1932. Source: © Historic England. Aerofilms Collection EPW038804 flown June 1932
The interior of St John. Huge thanks to Tim Lewthwaite for allowing use of the photograph.