About Us

Discover Jesmond 1888

Thanks to lottery players, we’re launching a heritage trail linking two of Jesmond’s most beautiful and historic churches – St George’s, Jesmond, and Jesmond United Reformed Church – and delivering an eighteen-month events programme. Discover Jesmond 1888 is the first stage in a larger project to restore the churches’ exceptional pipe organs, originally built by the eminent British organ builder, T. C. Lewis.

By 1888, Jesmond had grown into a distinctive and vibrant community. This project invites you to explore its stories and their lasting legacy. Along the way, a narrative far richer than you might expect unfolds: dystopian fiction and radical ideas, Black and LGBTQ+ history, surprising literary and musical figures, and even an echo of the Wild West!

You can grab a printed version of our illustrated trail map from the churches or any of our local supporting businesses and community partners. Or you can enhance your experience with our immersive audio and digital visitor guide in partnership with Smartify.

The people who have called Jesmond home represent such a wide range of experiences, talents, and transformations that not all of their stories could be included in the core trail. Instead, ‘community stories’ are shared on this website, where you’ll find well-known sports stars alongside personal memories of growing up here. Each story also includes links to delve deeper into topics or to get involved in related local initiatives.

As our project develops, we will be installing interpretation screens in St George’s and Jesmond United Reformed Church, highlighting the skilled artisans involved in creating their interiors, along with interactive activities and more.

Discover Jesmond 1888 also features an eighteen-month events programme. From talks to hands-on creative projects, these events will bring our history to life and celebrate the stories we are creating today.

Join us as we create a collage of stories, wonder, and creativity #DiscoverJesmond.

Why not follow us on Social Media?

• Instagram
• Facebook

The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why, as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage, we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past. Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6 billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.

• heritagefund.org.uk
• Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram
• Use #NationalLottery #HeritageFund

St Georges

A thriving Anglican Parish Church, part of Jesmond life since 1888, with a congregation from the locality, the city and the region. We aim to be friendly, diverse, and to welcome all in Christ’s name. Our worship is inclusive and in the catholic tradition, with high-quality music.

Jesmond URC

As a Christian community, we regularly gather to pray, study, and support one another in our Christian journey. As disciples of Jesus, this church seeks to be with Jesmond through community, contemplation, creativity, care and celebration. We invite everyone, everyone, everyone, to join in this ministry!

Digital Guide to Jesmond

Our Smartify app also includes recommendations for local businesses to stop at on your explorations, local projects to get involved in and more details on accessibility – both for individual stops and an audio-described version of our trail. Check it out.