 The newly formed Catholic Parish of St John XXIII also covers the area of Fatfield.The Parish was officially created at 10AM on 27 April 2014, when "Pope John XXIII" was canonised by Pope Francis.Originally, the area was served by Washington Parish, founded from St Michaels Houghton in 1864, but the modern Washington cluster was established in 2002, and includes Our Lady Queen of Peace Penshaw in addition to the modern Washington Churches.