St Hilda's Church, Darlington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Hilda’s Church, Darlington |
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 St Hilda’s Church, Darlington
Location in County Durham
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| 54°31′29.1″N 1°32′59.5″W / 54.524750°N 1.549861°W | |
| Location | Darlington |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Independent |
| Previous denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Consecrated | 30 August 1888 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed |
| Architect(s) | John Loughborough Pearson |
| Groundbreaking | 21 September 1887 |
| Construction cost | £6,000 (equivalent to £428,200 in 2021). |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 560 worshippers |
| Length | 107 feet (33 m) |
| Nave width | 26 feet (7.9 m) |
| Height | 56 feet (17 m) |
St Hilda's Church in Darlington is a special old building. It used to be a church for the Church of England. Now, it's a different kind of church. It's located on Parkgate in Darlington, which is in County Durham, England. This building is so important that it's listed as a Grade II listed building. This means it's protected because of its history and architecture.
Contents
The History of St Hilda's Church
Building a New Church
In the late 1800s, a new church area was created in Darlington. This area was home to about 11,000 people. The land for the new church was given by a kind lady named Mary Eason. She also gave £1,000 towards building the church and another £1,000 to help support it.
The first stone of the church was laid on September 21, 1887. This was a special ceremony led by the Bishop of Durham.
Who Designed the Church?
The church was designed by a famous architect named John Loughborough Pearson. He planned the church to have a main hall (called a nave), side sections (aisles), an organ room, a small chapel, and other important parts. A tall tower was planned, but it was never built.
The inside of the church had open wooden roofs made of pitch pine. The main hall had six stone pillars that held up stone and brick arches. The church got light from four large windows, even though it was surrounded by other tall buildings. The altar was made of oak wood, and the floor was covered with wood blocks and special tiles.
Many different companies helped build the church. McKenzie Bros did the brick and stone work. R.T. Smith was the joiner, who worked with wood. H. Patch handled the plumbing, and J. & G. Wharton did the roof slating. W.H. & W. Hoskins were in charge of painting.
Special Gifts for the Church
Some parts of the church were gifts from people.
- The pulpit, which is a raised stand for the speaker, was given by Mrs. R. Child. It was made of Leeds stone.
- The font, a basin used for baptisms, was a gift from Mrs. Harland.
- A brass lectern, a stand for reading, was given by Mr. W. Russell.
A famous expert named Pevsner once said that the church was "boldly designed," even though it was built quite cheaply.
The church was officially opened and blessed on August 30, 1888. This ceremony was performed by the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd. Joseph Lightfoot.
What Happened After?
Changes Over Time
The Church of England stopped using St Hilda's Church in 1986. After that, it became the Light and Life Mission Church. It continues to be a place of worship today.
The Church Organ
A Special Musical Instrument
The church has a large organ with three keyboards. It was built in 1892 by T.C. Lewis of Brixton. The wooden cases around the organ were designed by the same architect who designed the church, John Loughborough Pearson. These cases were built by Mr. T.M. Hobson of Darlington. The organ cost £192 when it was new.
You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.
