1844 - 1847
Bishop William Riddell
Appointed Auxiliary Bishop in 1844 and was the Celebrant of the Mass for the opening of the church. During the fever epidemic in 1847, he was a frequent visitor to the fever house in Bath Lane and he fell victim to the epidemic. Ten days after becoming ill, he died at the age of 40. He body is buried in the Cathedral crypt.

1849 - 1856
Canon Joseph Humble
Appointed Canon in 1852. Went to Tudhoe in July 1856 and there died of the fever nine years later.

1856 - 1868
Canon Charles Eyre
Curate under William Riddell. Also afflicted by typhus fever and went to Wooler in 1849 to recover. Returned in 1856, was made Canon in 1860 and in 1865 was appointed Vicar General. He left St Mary's in 1868 on his appointment as Delegate-Apostolic in Scotland, later Archbishop of Glasgow.

1868 - 1884
Canon Alexander Drysdale
Came to St Mary's as assistant priest shortly after his ordination and was later appointed Administrator. He was ill for a long time and went abroad to recover but died in Naples in 1884 and was buried there. He was 47 when he died and he served all his priestly time at St Mary's.

1884 - 1895
Canon Robert Franklin
Held many posts before he came to St Mary's. Appointed Vicar General. Resigned in 1885 because of ill-health and died in Guernsey in 1910.

1895 - 1924
Bishop Richard Collins
Lived at St Mary's for 27 years, first as Administrator, then as Auxiliary Bishop and later as Bishop of the Diocese. Died in 1924 and is buried at Ushaw Cemetery.

1915 - 1930
Canon Joseph Newsham
Appointed Administrator after Bishop Collins had a nervous breakdown. Responsible for much building work in the parish including new churches at English Martyrs' and St Robert's. Died in 1930 after a short illness. Buried in Ashburton Cemetery.

1930 - 1937
Monsignor Joseph McCormack
Curate at St Mary's from 1914 - 1917. Like his predecessors, he was also appointed Canon and Vicar General of the Diocese. When Bishop Thorman died in 1937, he was appointed Bishop of the Diocese.

1937 - 1964
Canon Ernest Wilkinson
Curate at St Mary's from 1913 - 1927. Shortly before he died, he was made a Domestic Prelate. Died on 5th July 1964 and is buried at Ashburton Cemetery. He had the longest total time of service at St Mary's, over 40 years.

1964 - 1977
Canon Thomas Murray
Born in the parish and following his ordination in 1931, said his first Mass in the church. During his time, the title Administrator was replaced by Parish Priest. He died in the early hours of Good Friday, 8th April 1977 and is buried at Ashburton Cemetery.

1977 - 1987
Canon Francis Kearney
Assistant priest at St Mary's from 1959 - 1973. Shortly after the completion of the re-ordering for which he is responsible, he was moved to St Agnes' at Crawcrook.

1987 - 1997
Canon Seamus Cunningham
Another former resident at the Cathedral returned as Parish Priest. Shortly after his selection, appointed Canon. Now Co-ordinating Pastor of the North Shields Pastoral Team and is Vicar General.

1997 - April 2006
The Rev'd Michael Campion
Fr Campion was responsible for the redevelopment of the Cathedral and was instrumental in developing the Cathedral's presence in the City of Newcastle. During his time, the title Parish Priest was replaced by Dean.

April 2006 - present
The Rev'd Peter Leighton