Today a venerable and interesting 13thC edifice occupies the same site and can be seen from many miles around. The spire and towers are alleged to be orginal but as the base of the tower seems older than its superstructure they were probably added later. The first Rector of Boldon listed in church records was called William. He was succeeded by Alverd in the time of Bishop Galfrid Rufus, 1133-40, so it seems certain that the 13thC building replaced an earlier structure.

The Benedictine theologian and writer known as Uhtred of Boldon was born there in about 1315. He joined the Benedictines of Durham Abbey around 1332 and was sent to London in 1337. In 1367 he became prior of Finchale Abbey, a position to which he was appointed three other times, in 1379, 1386, and 1392. Uhtred died at Finchale Abbey on the 24th of January 1396 after a lifetime of service to his church, king and country.

During the Second World War with his father overseas and his mother working full time Ian spent most of his pre-school childhood in the care of his grandparents George and Emily Riches. They worked for the church as sextant and cleaner respectively. While they were attending to their duties the church and churchyard was Ian's playground. One day Ian's mother caught him racing his home made kiddy car up and down the nave. She started telling him off for being disrespectful when her father, Ian's grandfather, overheard and said, "Leave the bairn alone. If he can't play in his father's house, where can he play?". And she started to cry.

May God Keep You In His Loving Hands