The Hut, Low Grange 

In 1961 Fr Arrowsmith instituted the new parish of St Joseph's at Low Grange. The Hut, previously located at Grosvenor Road, was moved to Beamish Road and formed the initial epicentre of the parish. 

The first photograph shows the location of the Hut from a Teesside County Borough map which dates from the early 1970s. The old St Michael's school is also marked.

Today the Hut has disappeared. The second and third pictures show the location of the Hut in June 2025 with part of the new St Michael's school visible in the background.

Requiescat in pace

Rest in peace

The graves of five fondly remembered Billingham priests at Billingham Cemetery, Wolviston Back Lane. From left to right rest Fr Patrick Kerwick, Fr David Head, Fr Wilfrid Arrowsmith, Fr Laurence Deegan and Fr John Beardsworth. We thank God for their life and vocation.

May they rest in peace and rise in Christ. Amen.

St Gerard's school and chapel 

St Gerard's school and chapel was opened in 1923 at Howard Crescent, Haverton Hill. Horrendous atmospheric pollution from the local works led to Haverton Hill later being classified as a 'category D' settlement by Durham County Council. Haverton Hill was thus depopulated and no further housing developments were permitted.  St Gerard's closed in 1970 when Haverton Hill was part of Teesside County Borough.

Image 1 shows St Gerard's on the 1954 OS map for Billingham. 

St Thomas' Catholic School at Port Clarence 

The approximate site of St Thomas' Catholic School at Port Clarence. The 1913 OS Map reports Miss A. Sargent as the school mistress. The school situated to the left of Westlowthian Street was demolished around 1975. Photographed at Westlowthian Street in June 2025. 

St Thomas of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church at Port Clarence 

The approximate site of St Thomas of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church at Port Clarence. The church opened in 1900 and was regrettably demolished in 1978. Photographed June 2025. 

St Cuthbert's 

Before the English Reformation, St Cuthbert's was the original Catholic church of Billingham. Built on a gentle hill with fine views of Norton and the Billingham Beck Valley, the site has probably been occupied by a church since at least 860. According to Nikolaus Pevsner, the west tower dates to Anglo-Saxon times. The chancel was rebuilt in 1847 and 1939. A fascinating building, St Cuthbert's is one of Billingham's architectural gems. 

Mass at the War Memorial Hall

From the early 1920s Catholic Mass was celebrated at the War Memorial Hall at Southview, Billingham. According to an old OS map, the hall was situated at what is now the entrance to Keswick Road.