Aycliffe St Andrew

Parish Notes Durham

Aycliffe St Andrew (or St Acca or St Mary)

[Population 1911: 1,208]

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Church

The Church, dedicated to St. Andrew, is situated on a hill west of the village, and forms a striking object in the scenery of the neighbourhood. It consists of a nave with side aisles, a chancel, tower, and southern entrance porch. It is an ancient edifice, but was considerably repaired in 1835, when a gallery was erected by subscription. The greater portion of the interior was newly plastered in 1852, and the south porch re-erected. The pews are of the date 1600, and are well designed seats, with balustraded backs. In the chancel there is an effigy of a knight, with his hands clasped on his breast, his sword sheathed, a plain shield on his left arm, and a dog at his feet; and within the altar rails is a flat slab, on which are sculptured two crosses. In the porch beneath the tower are the fragments of two curious Saxon crosses, which formerly stood in the churchyard. One of them is richly sculptured, and bears a representation of the crucifixion. The parish register commences in 1560. The living, formerly a rectory, but now a vicarage, is a peculiar belonging to the dean and chapter of Durham, valued in the Liber Regis at £20; gross income £282. The great tithes of Aycliffe are assigned to the third stall in Durham Cathedral; and those of Preston-le-Skerne, Ketton, and Ricknall, to the eight stall. The dean and chapter have granted, in augmentation of the endowment, a house, a garden, and two pieces of land annexed, £10; Brafferton tithes (previously belonging to the thirds stall), £60; annual value £70. The Rev. John Davie Eade, M.A., vicar; Rev. William Eade, M.A., curate. [Whellan's History, Topography and Directory of Durham (and Newcastle) (1856), pages 347-48.]

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