The Sacriston area has been populated since the Bronze Age, but the first recorded settlement dates back to the 13th century, to Sacristan's Heugh.

The funds for carrying out the official duties were generated from the estate of Sacristan's Heugh, which was finally demolished shortly after World War II.

Sacriston Colliery shaft was sunk in 1838 and by the 1890s, the pit employed 600 men, producing 1,000 tons of coal a day.

When the workings were pumped out another man, Robert Richardson was found on Friday standing on his coal tub having been stranded in the dark, surrounded by dirty flood water for 92 hours.

"The inquest was opened by Mr. Coroner Graham on the 20th November and adjourned till the 9th December when evidence was taken, and the jury returned a verdict that the two men were accidentally drowned, and that, owing to the peculiar circumstances, no blame attached to the management."

Sacriston narrowly avoided D classification [clarification needed] in 1985 due to social deprivation and general poor quality of housing.

[8] More than 25 years after the closure of its last coal mine, the village retains a strong sense of community.

A new health centre, which includes a dental practice as well as a GP surgery, was officially opened by Sir Bobby Robson in 2008.

Offering services that complement traditional healthcare, the newly renovated building will also include an out-patients centre for Sunderland Eye Infirmary from January 2010.