Church of St Edmund, Sedgefield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Edmund, Sedgefield |
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| Location | Cross Hill, Sedgefield, County Durham, TS21 3AT |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Central/ Low Church |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Dedication | Edmund of Abingdon |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Designated | 9 January 1968 |
| Years built | 1246 to 1256 |
| Specifications | |
| Spire height | 90 feet (27 m) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Upper Skerne |
| Archdeaconry | Archdeaconry of Durham |
| Diocese | Diocese of Durham |
The Church of St Edmund is an old and important church in Sedgefield, County Durham, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This church is very special because it's a "Grade I listed building". This means it's considered a building of great historical and architectural importance. It was built a long, long time ago, in the 1200s!
Contents
History of the Church
How the Church Started
The idea for a church in Sedgefield began a very long time ago. A church area, called a parish, was created between the years 900 and 915. This was done by a bishop named Cutheard of Lindisfarne. The first church here was probably made of wood. Later, people called the Normans built a new church using stone.
Building the Current Church
The church you see today was built between 1246 and 1256. It is named after Edmund of Abingdon, who was an important church leader. He died in 1240, just before the church was built. Over the years, new parts were added to the building:
- Around 1290, two side sections called transepts and the main altar area, known as the chancel, were added.
- Around 1490, a tall tower was built.
- In the 1800s, a porch was added at the entrance.
- In 1913, a vestry (a room for clergy) and a special room for the organ were built.
Because of its long history and special design, the church was officially named a Grade I listed building on January 9, 1968. This protects it for future generations.
The Church Today
Today, the Church of St Edmund is still an active place of worship. It is part of a larger group of churches called the Benefice of Upper Skerne. This group is part of the Archdeaconry of Durham and the Diocese of Durham. The church follows a "Central" style of worship within the Church of England.
People Who Led the Church
Some important people have served as leaders at the Church of St Edmund. For example, George Howe was the Rector (a type of priest) here from 1985 to 1991. He later became a senior church leader called an Archdeacon.
