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One of the Cathedral's great mysteries was solved in early 2003 when the underground crypt that had remained closed and hidden since 1848 was finally located. So now the final resting place of William Riddell and William Fletcher, the first two priests to serve St Mary's is known. Both were devoted to selflessly serving the people of the parish and tragically died at very young ages in doing so.

The Cathedral archives indicated that Bishop Riddell and Fr Fletcher were buried at the end of the 1840s in a crypt containing compartments for 20 coffins. However, there was no indication whatever of the chamber's location.

Bishop Riddell and Fr Fletcher died from the typhus epidemic sweeping through Newcastle in 1847 and 1848. The late Cardinal Hume, preaching in the Cathedral in 1994 for the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the parish, described the two men as 'martyrs of charity'. They knowingly risked their lives, he said, defying medical advice by visiting their sick parishioners rather than staying in the safety of the Cathedral. Following Fr Fletcher's death in 1848, the crypt was sealed, covered over with soil and thus removed from future use.

Survey
In December 2001 a ground-penetrating radar survey was carried out to locate the position of the crypt. Three sites were identified: in the church sanctuary and Blessed Sacrament and Lady Chapels (where memorial floor brasses had been laid); in the grassed courtyard to the south of the church, outside the entrance to Cathedral House; and in the area that was to become the Cardinal Hume Memorial Garden.

The survey in the church and Hume Garden revealed nothing. The tomb of Bishop Riddell, surrounded by a railed area, shrubs and a lawn in the courtyard suggested that this was the more likely location of the crypt. The survey confirmed that there was something underground here.

When the construction of the new cloister and courtyard was coming to a close in April 2003, a trial excavation of the garden area was carried out by hand. The initial examination, close to the east side of the church, revealed two large slabs of stone, each 1.66m long, 0.6m wide and 0.26m thick. A little further on a ventilator was found set in a square slab of thick stone. Further investigation at either side then revealed the upper surface of a brick vault, aligned north-south.

The Crypt
It took three men, working for site contractor Steven Eastern Ltd, to prise the two large and very heavy slabs apart. This opening revealed a brick stairwell of nine steps descending by way of a short vaulted brick passage, 1.97m wide and 1.35m high, leading into the west wall of the crypt. The lowest step, about 1m above the crypt, had a short wooden ladder which, being so badly decayed, collapsed upon being re-used for the first time in 155 years.

On entering the crypt a rectangular brick built 'room' containing 20 shelves and just two coffins was discovered. It was in remarkably sound condition with no sign of significant movement or damage. Water penetration through the ceiling had produced a lot of fine white stalactites. A layer of fine clay rested on the flagged floor.

The room measures 4.7m north-south and 2.2m east-west. It has a maximum ceiling height of 2.53m. In the middle of the vault there is a small ventilation shaft. The east wall, with spaces for 20 coffins, has four rows of five niches, all built of brick with the top row having shallow arches. These spaces for the coffins are 0.7m wide, 0.5m high and 2.3m long. The walls between the niches are of 0.2m brickwork except in two places where they are reduced to 0.1m to provide four slightly wider spaces. The shelves are made of slate slabs, some of which still have the mason's or quarryman's crayon marks on their undersides.

The Coffins
The two coffins, containing the bodies of Bishop Riddell and Fr Fletcher, are in the middle bay, one of the floor and the other in the third niche up from the floor. In the lower opening the lead coffin is in a decayed wooden case. The foot end has completely rotted off, revealing the plain lead casket. There are six decorative brass handles on the side of the coffin and a brass plate on the lid. This appears to be in good condition but it cannot be read as is it very close to the slab above. This coffin probably contains the body of William Fletcher who was laid to rest here in 1848.

Coffin of Bishop William Riddell		Coffin of Fr William Fletcher

Because the upper coffin is more elaborate it probably contains the body of Bishop William Riddell. Its wooden case has a cloth cover, probably of fine woolen fabric. The foot-end is decorated with a vertical band of different material, edged with herringbone-patterned tape.

In the middle of this there is a brass handle with a decorative plate but there are no handles on the sides of the case. The coffin in supported on eight bun feet and there is a brass plate on the lid. As with the Fletcher casket, this plate is unreadable in its present position.

The Future
The report commissioned by the Cathedral Architect from the Archaeological Services of Durham University concludes that 'the condition of the crypt is such that it could be used for burials in the future.' The entrance has been covered with sandstone slabs to make the crypt water-tight and these can be removed with ease should the chamber be required for future burials.

Following the death of Bishop Kevin Dunn on 1st March 2008, he was laid to rest here following his Requiem Mass on Tuesday 11th March 2008. Also, following the death of Bishop Emeritus Hugh Lindsay, he was laid to rest here following his Requiem Mass on Monday 2nd February 2009.