England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Haltwhistle Holy Cross

The Parish

The parish of Haltwhistle occupies the greater part of the southwest of Northumberland forming a lengthy stretch of the county's border with neighbouring Cumberland. Haltwhistle is located roughly 36 miles west of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and stands on the A69 road which links Newcastle with Carlisle in Cumberland. Haltwhistle is the main market town of the area and lies along the northern banks of River South Tyne. The A69 formerly cut through the town and most properties lie along that old route or in side developments to both north & south, the A69 now takes a southerly bypass around the town. It is likely that Haltwhistle became established in Roman times as the South Tyne's valley provided a useful route across the Pennine range, as it does today. By the Middle Ages, it was granted its market in 1306, it rose to become a trading hub and centre for specialist skilled trades. Much of the surrounding area is upland farmland and the main economic activity would have been pastoral farming of cattle and sheep. Sitting in Border country the town was frequently subject to depredations from Border Reivers and has many fortified farmsteads within the wider parish. Growth came from two main sources, the area is rich in both iron and lead ores and these prompted a mini-goldrush to exploit them. Within the town it was textile manufacturing that became the main economic force employing many in the manufacture of plaids, flannels, blankets, druggets, and coarse cloths according to early gazetteers. In more modern times the area has seen the growth of tourism both for the natural scenery but also as a base for exploring nearby Hadrian's Wall. Modern developments have arrived with the cross-Pennine railway line from Newcastle to Carlisle which grants Haltwhistle a station. Haltwhistle is drained eastwards by the South Tyne which meets its northern equivalent before passing between Newcastle and Gateshead to reach the North Sea. Haltwhistle is sited at around 120 metres above the sea with its suburb of Portobello standing 50 metres higher. Much of the parish is higher ground with summits such as Cairn End reaching 304 metres to its south. These heights are somewhat missed by the Pennine Way National Trail which makes its considerable way through the parish. Haltwhistle parish was very extensive historically covering close to 55,000 acres which included many townships within it. The population of the whole parish was in the region of 4,600 parishioners. Like most places this far to the north of England Haltwhistle is not mentioned in Domesday Book which has little or no coverage north of the River Tees.

The Church

Holy Cross church hides away within the town centre, set back behind fronting buildings from the Market Place and with its churchyard running down towards the South Tyne. Pevsner opens with the statement that Holy Cross is a "quite exceptionally complete and well preserved E.E parish church". It is also one which does not shout its credentials lacking a tower and only carrying a western bellcote. The church has a 4-bay nave which is almost square in its layout, to the west a lower chancel all of these walls have the characteristic lancet windows of the 13th century Early English Gothic period. Indeed it is difficult to find fabric not from the original build, that seems restricted to the restoration of 1870 when the entire western end was rebuilt, including the bellcote, and a vestry was added to the north of the northern aisle. Pevsner attributes some of the lancets to this restoration too but all are in keeping with the established style. The town has several car parks and it is best to approach the church on foot after using one of these. The churchyard sits behind the Black Bull Inn and several other commercial shops and is open and uncluttered with no obstacles for the photographer.