Sunderland Street Cemetery Lodge, Houghton-le-Spring

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Sexton's Lodge on Sunderland Street, Houghton le Spring

The Cemetery Lodge was the last building on the right at the top of Sunderland Street, Houghton-le-Spring, under the shadow of Houghton Cut.

The two storey limestone building, with its leaded windows, was home to the Sexton of Hillside Cemetery.
Copyright © Books of the North 2000 - 2009.

In later years it was home to the secular caretakers and groundsmen.

The Lodge was vacated by 1964 and left to become ruinous. Recent examinations suggest that the building collapsed in on itself. Many of the interior fittings, such as fireplace and sinks, can be found scattered in the Cemetery overgrowth.
Copyright © Books of the North 2000 - 2009.

SEXTON'S & CARETAKERS

1862 - Sir George Elliot, Bart., M.P, paid for the lych gate to be erected alongside the Cemetery Lodge on Sunderland Street, as the original entrance into Hillside Cemetert was through the neighbouring Hill Farm. The archway was designed by a Mr Butterfield of London and built by a Mr Brookes of Houghton with stone from Usworth quarry; the metal railings were by a Mr Walker of Newcastle; and the oak gates were made by a Mr Henry of Durham.

1881 - William Reid, 60 years old, and his wife, Mary (59), and daughter, Mary Jane (24), lived in the lodge. They originated in Ireland.

1886 - William’s wife, Mary, was buried at Hillside Cemetery.

1890 – 1894 - George W Brown, Sexton, lived in the Lodge. His five year old son, William, was buried at Hillside Cemetery in August 1894.

1895 - George W Brown recorded as still being Sexton. He apparently died in December 1895 and was buried in the Cemetery, though the burial registers do not confirm this. His wife, Jane Brown (nee McClucheon) and children Margery and Thomas, were made to vacate the Lodge, moving to Newbottle Street and later Bruce’s Yard, Sunderland Street.

Sexton's Lodge on Sunderland Street, Houghton le Spring, circa 1920
A view of the Lodge in the 1920s

1896 - Edwin Place was Sexton and lived in the Lodge.

1903 - Edwin’s wife, Margaret, was buried at Hillside Cemetery on Nov 9th 1903.

1914 - A directory records Edwin Place as still being in the Lodge. At this time, nanny goats were used to keep the grass down.

c1926 - Mr Reynolds and his wife (both of Hebburn) lived in the Lodge.

1932 - Edwin Place died and was buried at Hillside.

1930s – 1940s - J. W. Scott (known as Bill) was caretaker of Hillside Cemetery and lived in the Lodge with his wife. It is said that she died from blood poisoning – a shelf of homebrew in the cellar had collapsed and she had cut herself on the glass.

1940s - Old Mr Flem Ely was caretaker of the Cemetery and would chase unwanted visitors away (mainly children).

Edwin Place, Sexton, at work in the Hillside Cemetery

1942 - The (currently unidentified) Sexton-caretaker resigned due to ill health and a Council employee took over as caretaker until 1950.

c1950 – The Council employee vacated the Lodge when the 1942 agreement ended. Gordon English lived in the Lodge at this time but apparently wasn’t connected to the Cemetery.

1950s - Mr & Mrs Green lived in the Lodge with their son and daughter.

1964 - The Lodge was vacant by this time.

Sexton's Lodge ruins on Sunderland Street, Houghton le Spring, in 2003
The Cemetery Lodge ruins in 2003

There has been a suggestion that a John THORNTON lived in the Lodge as caretaker of Hillside Cemetery. He died in December 1919 (abode: 14 Market Place), and was buried at Hillside Cemetery. His incumbency as caretaker is still to be confirmed.

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PAGE UPDATED: 05/06/2012