Shiney Row was originally part of the Parish of Penshaw, but because of a population increase, caused by the influx of people into Shiney Row to fill the jobs at the newly sunk pits, it was felt that there was a need for some further religious support in the area.
The demand on the services of Rector Holme was such that it was decided that a new place of worship was needed. Thus, circa 1907, it was decided to build a Chapel of Ease at Shiney Row.
The architect, C Hodgson-Fowler, drew up the plans and a Mr R C Brown was employed to build it, using his own work force and also the help of local people.
Lord Joicey, Chairman of the local colliery sanctioned land and supplied timber, bricks and mortar as well as donating £500 towards the project.
The land on which it was built was near Davison's Place which belonged to the Lambton & Joicey colliery. The church was built by 1907 and in February of that year the official opening and first service took place.
At that time Shiney Row was a Conventional District of Penshaw. It was due to Jenkin Jones, the curate attached to assist Rector Holme, that Shiney Row became a parish in its own right.
He campaigned vigorously, but was, for a time, having little success as the parish would need its own Incumbent. There was opposition from the Clergy of Herrington and Newbottle who did not wish to lose part of their parishes to Shiney Row. There was no objection from the Rector of Penshaw.
A report in the London Gazette dated 23rd November 1913 stated that a proposal to to constitute a district for spiritual purposes had been put forward, and that parts of Penshaw, Herrington and Newbottle would be acquired to form the new parish. Resistance from the Vicar of Newbottle still prevailed, however he eventually agreed and thus the Parish of St Oswald became a reality.
In 1929 the church was extended to include a chancel and sanctuary with vestries to the existing nave, giving the building as it is today. The hall was added at a later date to the north side of the church.
This is a multi-cache and can be found a short distance away at 54° 52.ABC W 001° 29.DEF by working out the coordinates from the clues below. Note that this is a busy road so you may want to park on Windermere Crescent or Church street.
A = 5th digit minus 10th digit of the phone number on the sign
B = Number of letters in the first word on the sign
C = Weekday service is at 9.1?
D = Number of times the word Shiney is shown on the sign
E = Number of letters in the word after Holy
F = Number of letters in the Vicar's surname
Checksum is 29
****************** ********************
For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro.co.uk
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
****************** *******************