Answer Jan 2019

The picture shows the remains of St Mary’s Church, which is to the south of the Market Place, accessed through the narrow archway and passageway (Old Church) leading to St Mary’s Chare which originally gave access to the south door of the church.

St Mary’s church was founded by St Wilfred in 706, possibly on this site. The plan of Hexham in medieval times shows its position. There are articles that provide more detail in Hexham Historian 1, and also in the HLHS Spring 2009 Newsletter (downloadable for free from this page).

Abandoned after the Reformation, few fragments of the church remain. There are those in the picture above, and others concealed by the shops and houses on the south side of the Market Place. A medieval oven that was once part of the church building can be viewed in the basement of Paxton’s Fish and Chip shop in the Market Place – they are quite happy for people to view the oven (and/or buy fish and chips!).