Father John Gibbons
Ordained: 8 June 1963
Telephone: 0191 536 7447
I was born in Stockton-On-Tees being the oldest of four children. I have one brother who is also a priest in our deanery. After my primary education I proceeded to go onto Ushaw College from September 1950 - July 1963 where, in the same year, I was ordained. Directly after, I was appointed a curate at St. Joseph's Murton from 1963 - February 1965. From there, I went onto my next post at St. Francis of Assisi in Walkergate. There, I was introduced to hospital, school and territorial chaplaincy work. This allowed me to venture out to new communities and preach the Gospel in many different ways.
In 1971 I was then moved to St. Bede's Bedlington where I worked within the parish but, I also carried on my chaplaincy work in schools but I began to get a taste of industrial chaplaincy. Then, after 8 great years I was given a post at St. Cuthbert's in Durham in 1979. My work was divided between St. Leonard's school and the internationally known Durham Prison. This allowed me to gain a different insight into the place of God in the hearts of those in prison and their family members. A few years later I was appointed as parish priest at St. Bede's Jarrow in October 1980 and served as the Dean. After leaving St. Bede's in 1993, I went to St. Aidan's Willington Quay until 2003 when I was appointed to South Shields.
In my spare time I enjoy reading, watching and occasionally participating in any team sports, watching athletics on television and keeping up-to-date with all current affairs.