Church of St James the Great, Darlington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Church of St James the Great, Darlington
Church of St James the Great, Darlington
54°31′59″N 1°32′19″W / 54.53292°N 1.53868°W / 54.53292; -1.53868
Location	Allen Street, Albert Hill, Darlington, DL1 2LD
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Traditional Catholic
History
Status	Active
Consecrated	30 August 1876
Architecture
Functional status	Parish church
Heritage designation	Grade II listed
Architect(s)	Ross and Lamb, Darlington
Groundbreaking	14 April 1875
Completed	30 August 1876
Specifications
Length	104 feet (32 m)
Nave width	21 feet (6.4 m)
Spire height	148 feet (45 m) (planned)
Administration
Parish	St. James, Albert Hill
Archdeaconry	Archdeaconry of Auckland
Diocese	Diocese of Durham

The Church of St James the Great is a Church of England parish church in Darlington, County Durham. The church is a grade II listed building.

History

The parish was created in 1872 when it was taken out of the parish of St John's Church, Darlington. The plans for the new church were drawn up in 1873 by the architects Ross and Lamb of Darlington and the foundation stone was laid by the Mayor of Darlington, H.F. Pease on 14 April 1875. Simpson and Cowling were the contractors responsible for the masonry. The joinery was undertaken by R.T. Smith. The slating was given to Pattison and Son and the plumbing and glazing to R. Smith. The clerk of works was Mr. Davison. All of the contractors were local employers.

The church was built in a cruciform shape with an aisleless nave. It was consecrated by the Bishop of Durham Rt Revd Charles Baring on 30 August 1876.

On 28 April 1952, the church was designated a grade II listed building.

Present day

In 2012, the parish priest and at least 50 members of the congregation left St James' and the Church of England to join the Ordinariate of the Roman Catholic Church.

The parish stands in the Traditional Catholic tradition of the Church of England. As it rejects the ordination of women, the church receives alternative episcopal oversight from the Bishop of Beverley (currently Stephen Race).

Organ

A pipe organ was installed in 1900 by Lewis and Co and dedicated on 28 June 1900 by the vicar of Darlington, Revd. F.W. Mortimer. The specification can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register. This organ was later sold to St Andrew's Church, Ingleby, Greenhow in North Yorkshire and replaced by an electronic instrument.