Benwell Lane, mission house

Built 1820, served also as a Mission Hall, Sunday School, home for a caretaker and a contact point for the local doctor. Stone building with pantile roof. Plaque above door read ST. JOHN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL 1820. From 1870 the building was used as a Board School, pupils were transferred to the new Delaval Road Board School in 1891. Mr James Hilton of Ponteland purchased the property for £270 when the Blackett Ord Estate was auctioned in October 1926. It was then sold to the Vicar of Benwell Rev C F Knyvet for £280. By 1929 the building was dilapidated and too small to use for the increased activities of the Mission so a small hut was added to the rear. Following the collapse of the roof in February 1941 and the transfer of activities to Benwell Tower, the old Mission was demolished in 1943. A new building was constructed in 1950 and extended in 1961 and 1986. The Mission remains open under The Church of St John the Baptist.