Religion

St. Maurice's Church, Eglingham



St. Michael's Church, Ilderton



St. Cuthbert's Parish Church in Norham




The Non-conformist Church (Presbyterian 1688 - 1972) in Wooler, now known as the Wooler United Reformed Church on Cheviot Street.


Although John and Jane were married in St. Maurice Church in Eglingham, it is doubtful they worshipped at St. Michael's Church in Ilderton. John would have attended the weekly corn sales held in Wooler. The family would also have attended the huge social gatherings during the hirings in March. It would be on these occasions that John and Jane would have attended the non-conformist church, the old Protestant dissenting congregation, now known as the Wooler United Reformed Church (Presbyterian 1688 - 1972) on Cheviot Street.


This religious movement spread south from Scotland. It was formally established by John Knox and faced years of persecution well into the 18th century. Newcastle, Berwick, and Wooler were hubs of Dissenting worshippers. One of it's 17th century disciples was a Robert Semple.

Jane, although born in Chillingham, had been baptized in this Wooler church, as were her brothers, Robert and Mark, and her sisters, Mary and Elizabeth. John was most likely influenced by Jane and her family's devotion to this church. Their son, Mark, born in 1836 in Ilderton, was also baptized in this church.