Welcome to St James’s Church

St James’s Church from our new Churchyard

For all our services, including funerals and weddings, available online across the world:

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that, some have entertained angels without knowing it’
Letter to the Hebrews, 13.2

Join us to worship and share community together!

A warm welcome to the Parish Church of St James, Riding Mill; on the banks of the beautiful River Tyne in Northumberland where the Roman Dere Street crosses to link Hadrian’s Wall with the lands further South. 

As beautiful and distinctive though our building is, a church is about far more than the mellow stone and vibrant stained glass of the tourist picture. It’s about weaving nets of relationship – how Christians in this place worship and serve God; how we serve our community; and how we try to put our money where our mouths are in terms of living out our faith as Jesus taught.

We believe in inclusive church – so we strive to be a church which celebrates and affirms every person and does not discriminate against people on grounds of disability, economic power, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.

We believe, too, in a Church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ; which is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.

Like most churches we are very much a work in progress, and we are always learning. Like most churches we make mistakes and have our faults and foibles (for we are too human by half). Through it all, we want to be a church worthy of its founder and so we keep trying, for Jesus’ sake.

There may be many reasons why you are looking at our website. Perhaps you are looking for somewhere to arrange a baptism (christening) or a wedding? Or find out how to deal with a death. Perhaps you or someone you know needs prayer? Perhaps you want to find a place to worship and feel at home, or perhaps you want to find out more about what it means to be a Christian today?

Whether you are looking for help, worship, history or salvation these pages should give you a good start. But there is no substitute for the real thing – so get in touch, or just drop in to a service or event.

We look forward to seeing you!

Rev’d Diana

Photo of Rev. Diana Johnson at the entrance of the St. James's Church

Our Priest-in-Charge is Rev’d Diana Johnson. Photo by Christopher Thomond.


REGULAR SERVICES

Holy Communion at St. James's Church, Riding Mill

Sundays at 8am: Holy Communion
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Sunday Worship at St. James's Church, Riding Mill

Sundays at 10am: Parish Worship
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Mid-week Parish Worship at St. James's Church, Riding Mill

Wednesday at 9.30am: Parish Worship
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Quiet Evening Prayer at St. James's Church, Riding Mill

Wednesday at 7pm: Quiet Evening Prayer
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All welcome in Church or online!

Check the Service Calendar for details of other services and updates.


LATEST UPDATES


SAFEGUARDING

The parish of St. James, Riding Mill is a welcoming community that is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults.

Our Safeguarding Officer is Dr John Mathers, who will be fully in post in March 2023: for now please contact The Parish Priest, Rev’d Diana Johnson in the first instance. Her contact details, along with further safeguarding information can be found here.


GIVING

Should you wish to deliver yourself of your riches to assist the work of our church, please click the button.

We rely on donations and so we’ll be most grateful for your help.

BLESSING

We were honoured when the amazing Lucy Bunce composed a special blessing for us, based on a prayer of one of the Northern Saints – St. Aiden. See if you can spot her reference to the beautiful River Tyne, whose waters run past our parish.