Stella
Bell
Prior
to the foundation in 1868 of St. George's church in Bell's Close, across the
river Tyne, the parish of Stella stretched northwards across the River Tyne
and westwards to it's nearest neighbour Hexham. There was no Newburn Bridge
and the faithful crossed the river for Sunday Mass by means of the local sculler
(boatman). When the weather was unfavourable they gathered on the far bank
of the River Tyne and followed the course of the 11 o'clock Mass by means
of the church bell. This summoned the congregation to worship and when it
ceased tolling they knew the mass had begun. At the Elevation of the Host,
the bell was tolled thrice and at the conclusion of the Mass, the Angeles
prayer was said and the bell was rung. After saying this prayer, the Newburn
congregation turned from the riverbank and made their way home. The original
bell was removed in the 1960's as it had cracked. In 1999, as part of the
Millenium Celebration, the parish priest Fr Noel Colahan installed an electronic
bell in the steeple of the church.
