Whitehall Road
Methodist Church

Last modified 8 December 2023

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Items of Interest

Brief History

Bethesda New Connexion Chapel was built in 1836 in an open field in Barn Close (Prince Consort Road now runs over the site). It opened on Good Friday 1836 when 1,500 - 1,700 people were present. The Church served the neighbourhood for 60 years, with many notable preachers being stationed there, including Rev William Booth and his wife, prior to them leaving to form the Salvation Army.

After 1890, it was realised that Gateshead was growing southward away from the River Tyne. Whitehall Road New Connexion Methodist Church was built by Mr Alex Pringle, who later built the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne, and along with a vestry and lounge was opened on 29th February 1896.


In 1907 the Methodist New Connexion, The Methodist Free Church and The Bible Christians joined together to form the United Methodist Church of which Whitehall Road became part. Then in 1932, Wesleyan, Primitives and United Methodist Churches became “The Methodist Church of Great Britain”.


Alterations and improvement have been made to the premises over the years, notably to side classrooms and the stage, in order to facilitate room for the many activitiestaking place on the premises.

Whitehall Road Methodist Church in Bensham, Gateshead, as seen from the junction with Coatsworth Road.

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