St John's Church, Darlington

St John the Evangelist's Church, Darlington is a Grade II listed[1] Church of England church on Neasham Road, Darlington, County Durham.[3]

St John the Evangelist's Church, Darlington
St John the Evangelist's Church, Darlington
St John the Evangelist's Church, Darlington is located in County Durham
St John the Evangelist's Church, Darlington
St John the Evangelist's Church, Darlington
Location within County Durham
54°31′22″N 1°32′35″W
LocationDarlington
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
History
StatusClosed
DedicationSaint John the Evangelist
Consecrated16 July 1853
Architecture
Heritage designationGrade II listed[1]
Architect(s)John Middleton
Groundbreaking10 September 1847
Completed3 January 1850
Closed5 February 2023
Specifications
Length106 feet (32 m)
Width50 feet (15 m)
Height60 feet (18 m)
Spire height90 feet (27 m)
Administration
DioceseDiocese of Durham
ArchdeaconryAuckland
DeaneryDarlington[2]
ParishSaint John Darlington

History

The church was designed by John Middleton and built between 1847 and 1849. The foundation stone was laid on 10 September 1847 by George Hudson Esq M.P.[4] The design included a spire projected to be 160 feet (49 m) high sitting on the 90 feet (27 m) tower, but this was never added.

The church opened for worship on 3 January 1850.[5]

The debt took some time to pay off, but by 1853 the Bishop of Durham agreed to consecrate the church and it took place on 16 July 1853.[6]

The vestries were added in 1900 by W.S. Hicks.

In December 2022, it was announced the church was to close due to declining congregation numbers and rising running costs, a final service was held on 5 February 2023. [7]

Organ

Initially services were accompanied by a Seraphine.[8] A pipe organ was presented in 1857 by Nathaniel Plews,[9] which was second hand from Bedale church. However, this proved to be unsatisfactory and in 1865 a new organ was installed by Mr. Nicholson of Newcastle upon Tyne which included parts from the old organ. The cost was £150.

This organ was replaced in 1890 when a 2 manual organ was built by H.S. Vincent and Company of Sunderland. The opening recital was given on 18 September 1890 by Philip Armes, organist of Durham Cathedral.[10] A specification of the current organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.[11] It has been awarded a Grade II* listing by the British Institute of Organ Studies.

Bells

The tower contains a ring of 8 bells. Five were installed in 1848 by Charles and George Mears. Three more were added in 1893 by Mears and Stainbank.[12]

References
  1. Historic England. "Church of St John the Evangelist (Grade II) (1322932)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  2. "Saint John Darlington". A Church Near You. Archbishops' Council. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  3. Pevsner, Nikolaus; Williamson, Elizabeth (1983). The Buildings of England. County Durham. Yale University Press. p. 147. ISBN 9780300095999.
  4. "New Church at Darlington". Newcastle Journal. England. 18 September 1847. Retrieved 23 February 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. "Opening of St John's Church, Bank Top, Darlington". Darlington & Stockton Times, Ripon & Richmond Chronicle. England. 5 January 1850. Retrieved 23 February 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. "Darlington, St John's Church". Durham Chronicle. England. 22 July 1853. Retrieved 23 February 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. "'Incredibly sad' – Darlington church closes its doors after final service". The Northern Echo. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  8. "Opening of a new organ at St John's Church, Darlington". Newcastle Journal. England. 20 January 1865. Retrieved 23 February 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. "Nathaniel Plews". Newcastle Journal. England. 31 October 1857. Retrieved 23 February 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. "Organ Rectial". Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette. England. 19 September 1890. Retrieved 23 February 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. "NPOR [N12161]". National Pipe Organ Register. British Institute of Organ Studies. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  12. "Darlington S John". Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers. Dovemaster. 22 July 2009. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
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