How it all began
In the 1960’s, a young teacher came to work at Ashington Grammar School (now known as Ashington High School). Betty Hall was a committed Christian who wanted to see young people challenged with the reality of the gospel. She invited students to attend youth events in Newcastle and the surrounding area and the Christian Union in the school began. Youth for Christ events and the Inter-School Rallies became regulars for some of the school students, several of whom made decisions to follow Jesus. The new Christians were encouraged to attend a local church, which many did, however, older students missed the more modern style of worship they had experienced at these other meetings. They would travel to Newcastle whenever they could for bible studies and other meetings.
In the early 1970’s, house parties to places like Broomlee Grange (Stocksfield), Marygate House (Holy Island) and Wauchope (Borders) gave the opportunity for young people to spend time together and learn more about the Christian faith. In 1972, Betty along with teachers John Rowling and Caroline Dover looked at ways to provide some kind of regular youth event in Ashington on a Saturday evening. The Parish Hall at the Holy Sepulchre provided the first base for Crossroads Coffee Bar and on a cold January night in 1973 a group from London called “Really Free” played at the launch of the Coffee Bar. “Really Free” turned out to be really loud but the young people loved their music. This was the beginning of a pioneering work and the challenge of the gospel caused many to think and large numbers gave their lives to the Lord. The Saturday meeting moved to St George’s Hall (now Trinity Church). Many top Christian artists and speakers such as Garth Hewitt and Lovelight came to Ashington. The Coffee Bar eventually became Crossroads Church and Sunday evenings saw a tremendous time of blessing in the Miners' Trade Union Hall, fondly remembered as “The Miners”. A choir named “Charisma” was formed and over forty voices joined together to share testimony through songs and even making a record called “What can the answer be?”. A concert in Nottingham Central Hall and Nottingham Prison, a house party in London with concerts in Harrow and Brighton and a tour of Holland in 1975 were just some of the special times enjoyed by the choir.
1976 saw another change as several of the group moved off to university. “Charisma” ended and a second choir was formed for the “Upward Bound” concerts held in the much-loved Central Hall at the top of Hawthorn Road. Sadly, a building no longer in existence today. Jamie Owens, Jesse Dixon, Don Francisco and Evie were some of the international Christian stars who ministered in Ashington during this time. Preachers such as Ben Hoekendyke, Bob Gordon and Ian Knox were invited to Crossroads Church to speak.
Several musicals have been written and produced by Crossroads Church over the years, including “From the Throne of the King”, “Through It All”, “A Star is Born Again” and “Upside Down World”. The musical and acting talents of the church members shone through in each production. Crossroads also became involved in community initiatives such as gardening, decorating, visiting and shopping for people who needed practical help and support.
The Sunday meetings moved from the Miners' Hall to the Ashington YMCA and then in the mid 1980’s, to Hirst High School. We then met at the Hirst Welfare in Ashington, the Salvation Army hall in Ashington and we now meet in the Newbiggin Maritime Centre.
We are an independent Christian church and are members of the Evangelical Alliance
Our Elders
We have an eldership team of three. Collectively they are responsible for how the church operates on both a spiritual and practical level, while they each have their own individual responsibilities
Will Rogers
Elder
Will lived in Bedlington until he was 11 years old when he moved to Newbiggin-by-the-sea. From a strong Methodist family, Will came to faith during his 20’s at a meeting at Crossroads when he was challenged with the reality of the gospel. He met Christine at a Saturday night meeting and in 1976 they became the first couple from Crossroads to marry. The have 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren. Will worked as a cashier at Wansbeck District Council, being based in the council office in Newbiggin. He became a councillor in 2008 and that year, became the first mayor of Newbiggin, going on to serve on the town council for 8 years. He became an elder of Crossroads Church in the 1980s. He and Christine have always had a heart for young people and they decided that one day, they would apply to become foster carers. As early retirement from their careers approached, they trained and were approved for this in 2005. They have worked with teenagers with a variety of needs and endeavoured to show love and stability to these young people. Will has been a very active member of the community, taking part in many groups and forums to help to bring positive initiatives into the local area. Will has also been an active member of both Ashington Churches Together and Newbiggin Churches Together and he was part of the initial planning group in establishing the Wansbeck Valley Food Bank. At heart, a family man, who cares deeply about people and their wellbeing, if there is a job to be done, Will is there to help out however he can.
Paul Slaughter
Elder
Paul is Bedlington and Ashington born and bred. He is married to Jean with three daughters and four grandchildren. With a church background in Methodism and the Apostolic church, he became one of the original members of Crossroads in 1973 returning to the church after a seven-year break in Scotland (1975 – 1982) where he studied music at Edinburgh University and completed a master’s degree in education. While in Edinburgh he was part of Elim Pentecostal Church (City Temple) and the Old Schoolhouse Brethren. He was Head of Music at Hirst High School, Ashington in the 80s and then a teacher advisor for Northumberland Education Authority specialising in writing distance learning materials for sixth form students. Paul left education in 1993 to start his own business in web design and digital signage. He is currently founder and CEO of a digital communications business called Care Messenger which developed and owns an innovative application to help elderly and vulnerable people stay in touch with their families and supporters using their TV. Paul plays piano/keyboards and is the elder in charge of music and worship.
David Todd
Elder
David was born and raised in Newbiggin and now lives in Blyth with his dog, Lily. David joined Crossroads in 1978, when the church met in the Miners' Welfare Hall in Ashington. He met his future wife, Linda, at Crossroads and they were married in 1990 but sadly, Linda died from breast cancer in 2019. He joined the Department of Transport straight from school, working in the DVLA local office in Gosforth until 1996. He transferred across to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (also based in Gosforth and another part of the DoT) and worked there until retiring in 2018. He has a City & Guilds in photography, which remains one of his hobbies along with walking (compulsory when you have a dog), cycling and swimming. He also holds an NVQ qualification in business administration and is the elder responsible for all things administrative in the church. Like Paul, he is heavily involved in the music of the church, playing bass and acoustic guitars. He is also well-known for telling fantastic jokes!
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