Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne, often shortened to Newcastle, is a city in the county of Tyne and Wear in North East England. It is also a unitary authority with a population of around 259,000 (2001 census). However, the metropolitan boroughs of North Tyneside (population c.190,000), South Tyneside (population c. 150,000) and Gateshead (population c.200,000) are also part of Newcastle's conurbation. Newcastle is the main city in North East England, and around the 14th largest city in England. As such, it is one of England's core cities.

Religion

Christianity

Newcastle has two cathedrals, the Anglican St. Nicholas and the Roman Catholic St. Mary's.

Related Topics:
Cathedrals - Anglican - St. Nicholas - Roman Catholic - St. Mary's

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Cardinal Basil Hume was born in the city in 1923.

Related Topics:
Cardinal - Basil Hume - 1923

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Newcastle is home to one of the largest Anglican churches in the country, Jesmond Parish Church.

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Judaism

No records exist of Jews being resident in Newcastle before 1830 although there is a tradition that the community dates from 1775. It is thought, however, that over 500 years prior to this Jews resided in Silver Street (formerly known as Jew Gate).

Related Topics:
Jews - 1830 - 1775

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On October 8 1832, the congregation was formally established. The cathedral bells were rung when the first synagogue, in Temple Street, was officially opened on July 13 1838. The Newcastle Courant published a headline in Hebrew.

Related Topics:
October 8 - 1832 - Synagogue - July 13 - 1838 - Newcastle Courant - Hebrew

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By 1845 the congregation had grown to 33 adults and 33 children. Through the course of time nearly all the original founders either died or had left the city, but the influx of Polish and Russian immigrants had more than replaced this loss.

Related Topics:
1845 - Immigrant

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An imposing stone building was erected in Leazes Park Road in 1880 and consecrated by the Chief Rabbi. At that time the number of Jews in Newcastle was about 750. The congregation was in being until 1978

Related Topics:
1880 - Rabbi - 1978

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Sir Israel Brodie, the first Chief Rabbi to be knighted, was born in Newcastle in 1895.

Related Topics:
Israel Brodie - 1895

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There were many more developments and synagogues in Newcastle during the 20th century: Corporation Street Synagogue (1904–1924), ] (1914–1986), Ravensworth Terrace Synagogue (1925–1969), and Gosforth and Kenton Hebrew Congregation (1947–1984)

Related Topics:
Corporation Street Synagogue - Ravensworth Terrace Synagogue - Gosforth and Kenton Hebrew Congregation

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With the drift of population from the West End of Newcastle, Jesmond synagogue was consecrated in 1914 leaving the oldest, the Leazes Park Road Synagogue in the centre of the city. A third synagogue was built in Gosforth, the Gosforth and Kenton Hebrew congregation. Eventually the running of the three Orthodox Congregations was considered as being uneconomical and with a declining population in other parts of the town a new purpose built Community Centre and Synagogue was built in Gosforth at Culzean Park in an area in which the majority of Jews resided. A new Reform movement Synagogue was built in 1986 nearby and continues to flourish.

Related Topics:
1914 - Leazes Park Road Synagogue - Gosforth - 1986

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