St. Andrews Church (Church of England)

South Church, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham

{link:www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.661&lon=-1.6733&scale=5000&icon=x:Click here for map}

SUNDAY SERVICE TIMES
8.00am Holy Communion
3.00pm Evensong

Weekday Services
Thursday 10.00am Holy Communion
Saturday 10.00am Holy Communion

HISTORY
St. Andrew’s, the largest parish church in County Durham, was built almost entirely in the 13th century. Simon Jenkins, in his recent book, says that St. Andrew’s is remarkable even in a region blessed with early Gothic buildings.

It is certain that that there was a church on this site before the present one. When restoration was carried out in 1881-2, large fragments of Saxon carved stonework, dated about 650 AD, were discovered, which have been incorporated in the cross in the western arch, showing how they formed part of the ancient churchyard cross. Interesting features of the carvings are: leaf scrolls with birds and animals; an archer shooting at birds; Christ bound to the cross by ropes instead of nails; and a beardless Christ.

The present Church was built about 1274. The architecture is early English, and all the lighting was originally by lancet windows. It is cruciform, 157 feet long, the width across the transepts being about half the length

In and around 1295, Anthony Bek, Bishop of Durham, carried out extensive alterations. He took down the east wall, probably then containing 3 lancet windows, and built the present five-light window. On the north and south sides of the chancel there are still signs of his reconstruction of the windows; on the north, 3 windows were widened and one blocked up; on the south, alternate lancets were widened and transformed into two-light windows. Bishop Bek also added the south transept and raised the outer walls of the aisles.

In 1417, Cardinal Langley, who was then Bishop of Durham, had the handsome choir stalls made, in which the choir of today still sit; raised the chancel walls; added the clerestory in the nave; and added a battlemented stage to the tower and embattled parapets to the chancel and transepts.

In 1864, the present chancel arch replaced the original lower and narrower one. In 1881 the organ chamber was added and the south transept rebuilt. In 1926 the south bay of this transept was reconsecrated as a War Memorial Chapel, particularly for the 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. The old aumbry has been fitted with a glass door for the Book of Remembrance.

MISSION STATEMENT
By virtue of its size, its imposing position and its antiquity, St. Andrew’s is very much cathedral-like in character and provides a beautiful medieval focus for the worship of God, allowing the soul to rest from day-to-day bustle and turmoil to reflect and pray, conscious of continuous worship for almost 800 years in this wonderful building. St. Andrew’s stands for the permanence and solidity of the Christian faith, whilst being at the same time a friendly and welcoming place, which appeals to people from all walks of life.
It is fortunate, too, in having one of the largest and finest pipe organs in County Durham, which helps to enhance the beauty and spirituality of the services through music. The church is also a much appreciated concert venue.
The beauty of St. Andrew’s makes it a favourite place for weddings in the region: this provides a valuable spiritual contact with young couples being married, many of whom do not regularly attend church, an opportunity to lead them closer to God and cement their relationship with the church, baptising their children and at other times, such as at the death of relatives or other times of trouble, serving as a loved and approachable solace.

CONTACT NAME AND NUMBER
Revd Canon Neville P. Vine, Area Dean
4, Conway Grove,
Bishop Auckland
Co. Durham
DL14 6AF

Tel: 01388 604397
Email: neville.vine@btinternet.com