Gateshead, Duncan Street Methodist Mission

This Mission Church was the first new Methodist chapel to be opened in the then Gateshead East Circuit in 1934, following Methodist Union.

Sadly, there is only one small Minute book surviving that gives any information about the life of the Mission. The building, we know, suffered from damp throughout its use as chapel – the organ was terribly affected by this in the 1940s.

During WWII, the chapel was used as an ARP station and suffered some damage when, on Friday 15 August 1941, high explosives landed on nearby houses killing three children and an elderly lady.

Membership of the Mission was never strong, at best about 20 members, but they carried on the work until April 1955 when it was agreed they would close and join with the nearby Sunderland Road (ex PM) chapel. The last service was held on 15 May 1955 following which the organ and other furniture was disposed of. Once all the bills had been met, the Trustees were able to give the Circuit £50 – equivalent to nine quarters’ assessment.

The building still stands on Duncan Street and is currently used as offices