Churches together in Billingham

Good Friday

Year 2001

Good Friday Walk of Witness 2001

Written by Gerard Kelly

These photographs, kindly supplied by Janet Dixon, capture a truly moving piece of community history for the 'All Our Yesterdays' project. The 2001 Good Friday Walk of Witness by Churches Together in Billingham is a profound example of public faith.

Here is a look at the scenes captured in the collage, arranged to reflect how the events of the day unfolded.

The Journey Begins

The day's journey begins with the Catholic parish of St. Thomas of Canterbury setting forth from Holy Rosary Catholic Church. For many years, Father Butters led this procession, guiding the parishioners as they walk to meet and join forces with congregations from different Christian denominations. Merging their individual paths into a single Walk of Witness, the united procession then makes its way across a busy road junction, taking their shared message directly out into the wider community.

Looking closely at the faces in the crowd, the writer, Gerard, can spot his own family, including his wife Jane alongside Charlie, Dominic, Joshua and Louis when they were just children. It is deeply significant that Father Damien is also present among the gathering. Having the White Father, supported by the St. Thomas of Canterbury parish, walking alongside everyone else highlights the strong community bonds within the area.

Arriving in the Town Centre

As the procession makes its way into the heart of the Billingham town centre, a large congregation gathers in the precinct, standing together outside local shops.

The focal point of the event is the solemn dramatisation of the Passion. This is powerfully brought to life by Janet's son, John Dixon, who portrays Jesus. As Janet herself recalls, "I believe this is one of the hardest things John did as he was only 17 at the time, and it took courage." To offer support and give him confidence, Harry Mullen, the Verger of St Peter's in Wolviston, walked alongside John. 

The profound impact of this experience stayed with John for years to come. When asked during an interview to describe the hardest thing he had ever done, he spoke of this very day. One can only imagine how deeply moved and impressed the panel must have been by his quiet bravery. For a young man to step forward in faith, wearing the crown of thorns and bearing the heavy wooden cross through town centre, stands as a truly amazing and inspirational witness to the events of Good Friday.

In the final moving scenes, the cross is laid upon the stone paving and draped with a red cloth. The gathered crowd, holding their service sheets, engages in united prayer and song around the cross.

The Importance of United Witness

The 'Churches Together' initiative is a vital symbol of Christian solidarity. When churches with different traditions and backgrounds unite for an event like this, the impact is magnified.

• A Shared Foundation: It shows the wider community that despite varying denominational traditions, the core message of Good Friday and the sacrifice of Jesus unites all Christians.

• Public Visibility: Stepping outside individual church buildings and gathering in a civic space makes the faith accessible to everyday shoppers and passersby.

• Community Strength: Witnessing together demonstrates a united front of love and shared purpose, showing that the local churches are a collective force for community support and spiritual reflection.

Fr Butters memories of the Good Friday Walk

When I arrived in Billingham in 1994 there was a tradition organised by Churches Together of a joint witness by the town's Christian communities each carrying a wooden cross.

St Mary Magdalenes came down from Wolviston Court and joined Holy Rosary and proceeded along Sidlaw Road.

Meanwhile St Lukes joined New Life church and St Josephs and walked up Low Grange Avenue to Marsh House to collect St Columbas URC.

St Cuthberts plus St John's met with South Methodist and then the Baptist Church.

St Aidans walked with North Methodist Church across the park.

Everyone made a fantastic witness,  with prayers,  readings and hymns in the town centre, to the death and Resurrection of Jesus. The year John Dixon took part of Our Lord was exceptional - a brave young man expressing publicly his faith. We were all very proud of him.

The photos made bigger

25 years ago cameras were not as good as they are now!!