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Historical Notes
While there is archive
evidence to suggest that a small chapel may have
existed at Milbourne in the 12th and 13th
centuries, no trace of it remains and it was not
until the late 19th century that the local Anglican
community could claim to have a church of its own.
Then, in 1867, funded by gift and endowment of Miss
Jane Anne Bates of Milbourne Hall, work began to
build a church as a Chapel of Ease to the mother
church of St Mary's, Ponteland.
The foundation stone was
laid by Miss Bates on 15th May 1867 and an account
of the ceremony in the Newcastle Daily Journal
records that she did so "in a very elegant and
workmanlike manner". Sadly she did not live to see
the church consecrated on 27th February 1871, but
her gift to the Parish is commemorated in a
memorial tablet in St Mary's Church:
"Her good
works will be held in undying remembrance by her
friends and relations the last of which was to
build a chapel upon the estate and to provide
liberally for the endowment."
Other members of the
family gave gifts, notably the clock and bells and
more recently gifts, notably the font cover and
wrought iron flower stands, have been made in
memory of members of the congregation.
The
most recent gift, however has been the
replacement of the former plain glass west
window with a stained glass window to
celebrate the 2000th anniversary of the
birth of our Lord, Jesus
Christ.
Known as the
Millennium Window and of contemporary
design, it was funded by donations from
the congregation and friends of Holy
Saviour and symbolises the rural location
of the church and the Northumbrian
landscape beyond it.
It was designed
and made by Cate Wilkinson.
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"The earth is full of thy
riches"
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Originally intended
as a place of worship for the Milbourne Hall estate
family and local community, Holy Saviour now draws
its members from a wider area and provides a
traditional Anglican Service for a congregation
averaging 40-45 people.
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