St John's Church, Darlington
| St John the Evangelist's Church, Darlington | |
|---|---|
 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 / 54.52278°N 1.54306°W | |
| Location | Darlington |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Status | Closed |
| Dedication | Saint John the Evangelist |
| Consecrated | 16 July 1853 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed[1] |
| Architect(s) | John Middleton |
| Groundbreaking | 10 September 1847 |
| Completed | 3 January 1850 |
| Closed | 5 February 2023 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 106 feet (32 m) |
| Width | 50 feet (15 m) |
| Height | 60 feet (18 m) |
| Spire height | 90 feet (27 m) |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Durham |
| Archdeaconry | Auckland |
| Deanery | Darlington[2] |
| Parish | Saint John Darlington |
St John the Evangelist's Church, Darlington is a Grade II listed[1] former Church of England church on Neasham Road, Darlington, County Durham.[3]
History[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
- ^ a b Historic England. "Church of St John the Evangelist (Grade II) (1322932)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "Saint John Darlington". A Church Near You. Archbishops' Council. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ Pevsner, Nikolaus; Williamson, Elizabeth (1983). The Buildings of England. County Durham. Yale University Press. p. 147. ISBN 9780300095999.
- ^ "New Church at Darlington". Newcastle Journal. England. 18 September 1847. Retrieved 23 February 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Darlington, St John's Church". Durham Chronicle. England. 22 July 1853. Retrieved 23 February 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "'Incredibly sad' – Darlington church closes its doors after final service". The Northern Echo. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Nathaniel Plews". Newcastle Journal. England. 31 October 1857. Retrieved 23 February 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Organ Rectial". Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette. England. 19 September 1890. Retrieved 23 February 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "NPOR [N12161]". National Pipe Organ Register. British Institute of Organ Studies. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "Darlington S John". Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers. Dovemaster. 22 July 2009. Retrieved 22 February 2020.