Chapel And Crematorium At Whitley Bay Cemetery

The chapel and crematorium at Whitley Bay Cemetery were designed by Edward Cratney of Newcastle and built in 1913, with later 20th-century alterations. The building is constructed of coursed blue/grey granite with ashlar dressings, and has Westmorland slate roofs finished with coped gables and kneelers. The main chapel features a projecting tower with a large, double-canted arched doorway, framed by a moulded ashlar surround and an elaborate oak double door. The tower has angle buttresses and three louvred, flat-headed bell openings on each face. Above a deep parapet, the tower is topped by an octagonal spire clad in copper sheeting, culminating in a tall finial. Flanking the tower entrance are single-storey wings, each with a pair of double-canted arched windows with moulded surrounds. The crematorium entrance is to the right, featuring a similar arched doorway. The side facade has three tall lancet windows with double-canted arched heads. Cast iron drainpipes with elaborate lead rainwater heads inscribed 1913 are fixed to either side. A tall crematorium chimney was extended in the late 20th century.

The interior of the cemetery chapel showcases exceptionally fine Arts & Crafts style plaster decoration by G P Bankart, complemented by wooden fittings crafted by J P Bertram & Sons. Decorative plasterwork above the main entrances includes angels in shallow relief holding banners inscribed "Watch for ye know not the hour" and "The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh." A deeply moulded cornice is decorated with vines and grapes, while the curved arched ceiling features rectangular panels divided by moulded plaster bands. The central section of the ceiling, linking the flanking doors, displays pairs of angels and more elaborate bands adorned with lilies and peacocks, extending over the ritual east end. The chapel also has dado panelling and wooden pews with rounded carved pew ends. G P Bankart (1866-1929) was a prominent plasterer known for his work on Cardiff City Hall and Law Courts by Lanchester, Stewart & Rickards, and also wrote influential books on plasterwork.