Parish Notes Durham

Staindrop St Mary the Virgin

[Population 1911: incl. with Cockfield]

Church

The Church stands at the east end of the town, and is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. It is a spacious and stately structure, consisting of a tower, nave and aisles, and chancel, the former of which is supported by lofty pointed arches. The octagonal foundation of the church at Staindrop is considered to be coeval with the grant of Canute; the first incumbent is named in 1131, and the date of the nave, the earliest part of the church, is supposed to be about the year 1200. The principal entrance is by a south porch, above which is a sun dial; the doorway consists of plain mouldings, and the roof is strongly groined. The nave is separated from the aisles by four circular arches on each side, those on the south being decorated with the zigzag ornament, and supported by lofty pillars. The arches on the north side are similar to those on the south, but want the zigzag ornament. A pointed arch and screen separate the nave and chancel; the latter contains the ancient sedilia, the arches and trefoil heads of which are still in existence, though the intervening shafts have been cut away. Extensive repairs and restorations were made in this venerable edifice in 1849, when a new roof was placed over the south aisle, and the lead works of the other parts recast; the northern and western galleries were taken down, and the organ placed on the floor, by which arrangement the beautiful arches supporting the tower were thrown open; the "pew lumber" was removed and replaced by seats more in accordance with the style of the building, and the floors were paved with encaustic tiles. By these alterations, &c., additional accomodation for seventy-five persons was obtained. A grant of £30 in aid of the undertaking was made by the Incorporated Society for the Enlarging, Building, and Repairing of Churches, on condition that eighty-six seats should be set apart and declared free and unappropriated for ever. The remainder of the expense, except £100, raised by church-rate for the roof, was defrayed by private subscription. This church contains many ancient tombs and monuments, the first of which that attracts the attention of the visitor, is that of Ralph Neville, the first Earl of Westmoreland of that name. It is an altar tomb of alabaster, beautifully ornamented, and surmounted by a figure of the earl in complete armour. Under his head is his helmet, supported by an angel, and at his feet a lion, and behind the lion two monks at a prie dieu. His second wife, Joan, daughter of John of Gaunt, lies at his left hand, and Margaret Stafford, his first wife, at his right. The whole work appears to have been formerly gilded and painted. At the north-west corner of the church, is a monument of Henry, firth Earl of Westmoreland, and two of his wives. The south aisle appears to have been a burial place of the Nevilles; and near their tombs is a beautiful mural monument of marble to the memory of John Lee Esq. The same aisle contains several inscriptions to the Blacketts, of Hoppyland: sepulchral stones of the Hutchinsons and others are in various parts of the nave, and within the altar rails several slabs mark the last resting place of different members of the Vane family. On the walls of the chancel are monuments to Henry, second Earl of Darlington, Katharine Margaret, Countess of Darlington; and in the centre of the chancel is a beautifully sculptured monument, of white marble, erected in 1843, to the late Duke of Cleveland by the Duchess Dowager... The living is a vicarage, not in charge, of the certified anual value of £44 5s., and is held with that of Cockfield. It is in the patronage of the Duke of Cleveland, in whom the great tithes of the whole parish are vested. Rev. H.C. Lipscombe, M.A., vicar. [Whellan's History, Topography and Directory of Durham (and Newcastle) (1856), pages 466-67.]

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Townships

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Topography

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History

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The Parish Chest

EP Stai 1/19 Burials 1813-1848

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Non-Parochial Records

Newcastle Courant 8/11/1844 (4b) LARGE BUNCH OF GRAPES.- Mr Smurthwaite, gardener to Miss Lee, of Staindrop, has recently cut a bunch of White Portugal Grapes, of the weight of 12lb. 2oz.

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Monumental Inscriptions

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