Durham St Mary the Less

Parish Notes Durham

Durham St Mary the Less

[Population 1911: 80]

The Parish
Church
Townships
Topography
History

Its Records
The Parish Chest
Non-Parochial Records
Monumental Inscriptions
Indexes

Church

This edifice closely adjoins the buildings of the college, and is half hidden from the street by the boughs of the trees which shade its cemetery. Although of small dimensions, it is a beautiful building, especially as regards its interior decorations. This, it may be truly said, it owes to its late incumbent, the late lamented Dr. Raine, under whose wise and experienced direction it was completely restored. It was founded at a very early period, and is generally ascribed to a lord of Brancepeth, of the name of Bulmer, from whose family the patronage passed, by marriage, to the Nevilles of Raby, and was subsequently transferred to the Crown, with whom it still remains. The church, which is in the Norman style, consists of a nave and chancel, separated by a circular arch, and has been almost entirely rebuilt during the incumbency of the present rector. It contains some fine stained glass windows, which contribute very much to the general impressiveness of the structure. The window at the east end of the church represents the Annunciation and the Offering of the Magi; and the north window in the chancel presents a full-length figure of St. Oswald, King of Northumbria, and a half-length figure of St. Cuthbert. The others are chiefly memorial windows. The font, in the same style as the church, is from the chisel of White, of London, and is much admired. The seats in the nave are well adapted for the comfort and convenience of the congregation. The chancel screen and stall work are by Cummings, a Durham carver, and are highly creditable specimens of art. The reredos is constructed of oak panelling, brought from the Cathedral. A small mural tablet of white stone in the west wall was erected in memory of the well-known Count Borowlaski, who long resided in this city. The parish is very small, and there are no schools. The rector is the Rev. Canon Greenwell, M.A., D.C.L., and the crown holds the patronage. The living is a rectory in the deanery of Easington, and the parish register commences in 1559. There was anciently a chantry in this church, dedicated to St. Catherine, and of the annual value of £5, 7s. 9d. [Whellan's History, Topography and Directory of Durham (1895) page 181.]

| Top of page |

Townships

| Top of page |

Topography

| Top of page |

History

By an Order in Council, gazetted on 21 May 1912, the ecclesiastical parishes of Durham St Mary le Bow and Durham St Mary the Less were united.

| Top of page |