St Joseph's Roman Church, Walker Terrace

Construction began on this church in 1858 and was founded by public subscription. Originally the church was intended to be called Our Lady and St Wilfrid but it was felt that this might cause confusion with the Cathedral Church of St Mary’s, Newcastle. St Joseph was chosen as Joseph had been a workman – like most of the citizens of Gateshead. It was needed largely for the influx of Irish immigrants who started arriving in the town from 1830’s. It remained the only Roman Catholic church in Gateshead until 1904.