St Bede
Bede was born in Northumbria in 673. He was sent to school at the newly founded monastery at Wearmouth and soon after the twin monastery at Jarrow where he became a monk and a priest and here he was to spend the rest of his life.
Describing his own life he wrote "I have devoted my energies to the study of the Scriptures, observing monastic discipline and singing daily the services of the church; study, teaching and writing have always been my delight."
He died translating the final verses of St. John's Gospel. He is one of the Church's greatest historians, his most famous and valuable work being the History of the English Church and People.
St. Boniface called Bede "a light of the church, lit by the Holy Spirit". He died at Jarrow on the 27th May 735. His remains are enshrined in the Galilee Chapel of Durham Cathedral. So, at one end of the Cathedral you have the tomb of St. Bede and at the other end that of St. Cuthbert.
Churches and Schools in our Diocese dedicated to St Bede:
St Bede's Catholic Church, Bedlington
St Bede's Catholic Church, Durham
St Bede's Catholic Church, Jarrow
St Bede's Catholic Church, Newcastle upon Tyne
St Bede's Catholic Church, Sacriston
St Bede's Catholic Church, South Shields
St Bede's Catholic Church, Stockton-on-Tees
St Bede's Catholic Church, Washington
St Bede’s Primary School, Denton Burn
St Bede’s Primary School, South Shields
St Bede’s Primary School, Jarrow
St Bede’s Primary School, Washington
St Bede’s Primary School, Stockton
Our Lady & St Bede RC School
St Bede’s Primary School, Sacriston
St Bede’s RC Comprehensive School, Peterlee
St Bede’s School, Lanchester
St Bede’s Primary School, Darlington
St Bede’s First School, Bedlington
Many thanks to St. Bede’s RC Primary School, Usworth, Washington for this photo of the statue of St Bede which is on the wall of their school entrance.