Soon after Newcastle's Norman Castle was built in 1080, the first parish church was built in its current location. In 1194 it is mentioned as St. Nicholas Church. Around the same time, the wooden structure was replaced by a stone church, which burned down twice in the following decades and was rebuilt enlarged. At the end of the 14th century it was raised and provided with an upper balcony. The shape of the elongated basilica with transept was achieved. At the end of the 15th century the tower with the characteristic openwork crown was added.
Efforts were made to make Newcastle a bishopric at the time of the English Reformation , but it was not until 1882 that the new diocese was formed from areas of Durham and St Nicholas was made a cathedral.
Furnishing
The interior was completely redesigned in the late 18th and 19th centuries. Most of the tombs were removed, refurbished with ornate stone and wood carvings and a cycle of picture windows were created.
organ
View of the main organ
The organ goes back to an instrument that was built in 1670 by the organ builder Harris. The original organ case , which contained two manual works, has been preserved to this day . In 1767 the instrument was reorganized by the organ builder Snetzler and revised and expanded several times during the 19th century. In 1880 a new instrument was built, with pipe material from the previous instrument being reused. The organ comprised 58 stops on four manuals and pedal , with tube-pneumatic action . After further renovations and extensions, the organ was given its present form in 1981 by the organ builder Nicholson & Co. (Worcester), with 94 registers spread over seven individual works. The instrument consists of two independent organs: The main organ with four manual works and pedal, and the choir organ, with two manual works and pedal. The instrument can be controlled from two console tables.
