Hartlepool Art Gallery

As you approach Hartlepool town centre, you will see the prominent tower of the former Christ Church, which is now the Hartlepool Art Gallery.

Before we dive into the gallery, let us tell you a bit of history about the church first.

The church was commissioned by Ralph Ward Jackson (1806 to 1880) who was a dab hand at quite a few things. He had careers as a solicitor, railway promoter, dock builder, politician, entrepreneur, and philanthropist!

He developed West Hartlepool, and there are many references to him, such as in a statue, a pub, and of course Ward Jackson Park.

Originally there were only scattered farms and wind-scoured sand dunes in the area. Ward Jackson saw potential and developed the area with railway lines and improved docks. With these new trade links came work and a boom of new people.

Ward Jackson owned much of the land and set about organising a church for the people to sate their spiritual needs. He arranged a competition and British Architect Edward Buckton Lamb (1806-1869) won the commission. His design did not adhere to Augustine Welby Pugin's (1812 to 1852) pointy rules, which most architects of the time did. It is an 'inventive' Gothic Revival style and looking from the outside there is much to admire.

The Church was built from the limestone from the Jackson dock that Ward Jackson was creating. He gave generously and encouraged those around him to do the same, so out of the £8,000 cost of the church, only £200 was needed by public subscription.

The church was ordained in 1854.

Ralph Ward Jackson was an interesting character and from The Hartlepool History Then and Now website:

'Ralph Ward Jackson led a stormy life. He was several times involved in legal battles with people who opposed him. In 1861 he was fined for assaulting the vicar of Greatham after an argument over public rights of way. But he was also a man of great vision and purpose. He was passionate about everything to do with West Hartlepool, and was involved in almost every part of the town's early growth.'

If you thought Church life was sedate, read on! Ward Jackson and the new Vicar John Hart Burges of this church became adversaries even though Ralph had chosen John. The confrontation was over schooling, where Jackson wanted a school open to all pupils, Hart Burges wanted it to be only for Anglicans. Hart Burges was not going to resign either, and he had the support of the Bishop of Durham, Bishop Maltby. Such was the voracious opposition that Ward Jackson had the church doors bricked up. They were then unbricked. When Bishop Maltby retired the next Bishop of Durham leaned more towards Ward Jackson and so John Hart Burges resigned.

The church tower is 100 feet tall and has a little brother of 25 feet. There were 6 bells in the tower which is currently (Jan 2025) being refurbished. The clock and quite a bit of mechanism by W. Potts of Leeds was added in 1911. It has a clockface on 3 sides of the tower with the south omitted.

The church could originally accommodate 1,000 people inside, the pews have since vanished.

Unfortunately in 1973 church attendance dwindled partly because the surroundings had become commercial and residential areas had moved further afield. The church closed and became dilapidated.

In 1982 it was made a Grade Two Listed Building. The Hartlepool Council rescued it and from 1994 major restoration was underway.

It opened in 1996 and has become Hartlepool Art Gallery with a cafe, keeping some traditional features.

Looking up the roof has marvellous arched-braced trusses and the gallery/balcony can be reached by an open spiral staircase, which gives you another perspective of the church.

The windows are glorious and colourful. You require a little bit of moveability to see them without the lighting fittings.

If you can see through the sea of chairs and tables for the café, there is an octagonal oak pulpit on a carved stone pedestal and two white marble statues. Art UK tells us the statues are Susannah and the Elders and Innocence By Italian Giovanni Battista Lombardi (1823 to 1880). He is well known for the Veiled Lady. These statues are dated 1874 and were gifted to the Art Gallery.

From Christies (Auction House) website:

'The story of Susannah and the Elders from the Old Testament tells the tale of a young and beautiful maiden who is caught bathing by two lustful voyeurs. As she attempts to leave the older men threaten her with blackmail, indicating that if she does not agree to sleep with them, they will falsify a story that Susannah was there to meet a lover. Susannah, refuses them and is ultimately innocent, her virtue triumphant. Like many artists before him, Lombardi captures the moment when Susannah first notices the intruders. She protects herself and scowls in their perceived direction, but enough of figure is revealed to illustrate the sinful temptation.'

Next to the statue of Innocent, there is a brass eagle lectern. Have you ever wondered why there are golden eagles in churches? They can represent spreading the word of God. Eagles are associated with John the Evangelist. His gospel starts 'In the beginning was the word...' The ball which the Eagle sits on represents the world and its outstretched wings are ideal for resting the bible on.

The Protestant Church belief was based on the Bible and not on the church, therefore readings are taken directly from the Bible.

As an Eagle soars upwards it can represent the resurrection and ascension of Christ.

Just to add The altar has since gone which is a shame as the altar rail came from prehistoric bog wood excavated from Jackson Dock.

Around the church, there are paintings and works by local artists. The exhibitions change, but some are permanent like an illuminated piece of stained glass sits above the serving hatch of the café. It is called 'Optimism' by John Patsalides (1945 to 2010).

As a footnote, outside the entrance, there is a statue of Sir William Gray (1823 to 1898) who was the first mayor of West Hartlepool and held the position from 1887 to 1888, after Ralph Ward Jackson had left the town.

If you like second hand book shops Needful Things is a super browse on Church Square.

There is more to see in the area, Have a look at the Fabulous North Map