Discover Rich History

Ushaw's history begins more than a millennium before its first stone was laid, it starts with St Aidan at Lindisfarne.

Ushaw's history is rooted in the north of England's Christian heritage.

Ushaw’s history is tied to the development and growth of Christianity in the region. Beginning over a millennium ago with St Aidan in Lindisfarne.

St Aidan founds the monastery on Lindisfarne

635

Synod of Whitby; St Cuthbert (635-687) goes to Lindisfarne

664

Foundation of St Paul’s Church, Jarrow

681

St Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People

725

Foundation of Durham Cathedral

1093

English Reformation: Henry VIII declares himself Supreme Head of the English Church

1529

Pope Clement VII excommunicates Henry

1533

Elizabeth I Act of Supremacy, declares herself Supreme Governor Church of England

1559

William Allen founds The English College at Douai

1568

Over 100 Douai Priests have been martyred in England

1700

Catholic Relief Act: removed penalty of life imprisonment from Catholic bishops, priests and schoolmasters.

1778

Catholic Relief Act: the Catholic Mass became legal in registered chapels

1791

Ushaw Opens

1808

Catholic Emancipation Act: Catholics could sit as MPs and hold most public offices

1829

Charles Newsham begins development at Ushaw

1837

Restoration of the Catholic Hierarchy by Pope Pius IX

1850

Junior Seminary opens at Ushaw

1859

Education Act: Voluntary Schools, including Catholic schools, began to receive funding

1902

Ushaw students attend Durham University

1968

Ecumenical links with partners in Anglican and Methodist Colleges

1988

Ushaw Bicentenary

2008

Ushaw throws open its doors to the public

2014