Standing in attractive grounds on the edge of the beautiful Jesmond Dene this church dedicated in honour of the Archangel Gabriel who announced to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she was to be the mother of God has served the community of Heaton since 1899. At the end of the 19th Century Heaton was a small country village with only one main street, there were farms, small holdings and market gardens.The nearby shipyards and industrial concerns like C A Parsons were springing up nearby.The rapid increase of the population of Heaton made it imperative to provide a new parish.This was to be formed out of the parish of St Michael Byker and was sanctioned by Queen Victoria on 27th December 1899, with plans for a new church building put into action. The first Lord Armstrong gave a site on the west side of Heaton Road near to its northern end. The Archdeacon of Northumberland instructed the architect Mr F.W Rich to prepare plans for a permanent stone church to be built in the Gothic design with a tower, a nave and one aisle to hold 600 people.The builder appointed was Mr Walter Baston, a member of St Gabriel’s congregation. The foundation stone was laid in 1898 by Mrs Watson Armstrong and the consecration took place on September 29th 1899.The building was completed in 1931.Around the 99 feet high tower are the words of the sanctus.
The interior is spacious, a rood beam dominating the nave showing our Lord upon the cross, beneath and below this is the handsome alabaster chancel screen.At the east end above the High Altar is a large tryptych topped by the figure of Christ in majesty. Above this is a large mural of the Ascension by Mr J Eadie Reid painted in Paris in 1910 and brought to Heaton to be attached to the eastern wall of the church.Much of the wood in the church is from the Ralph Hedley workshop.There is a polished marble font with a large oak carved canopy.The organ was built in 1906 by Abbot and Smith of Leeds and has been rebuilt several times since.There is a Lady Chapel and the south transept is Andrew’s Chapel dedicated to the work of the church abroad. The church has a strong tradition of community action and is committed to projects at home and in the developing world. There are many activities for all ages and a particular focus is on education in the faith for young and old.