Church Heritage Record 613194

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Howden-le-Wear: St Mary the Virgin

Name:

This is the church’s legal name as given by the Church Commissioners.

Howden-le-Wear: St Mary the Virgin
Record Type:

A classification of the current status of the building

Closed Church
Church code:

This is a unique identification number supplied to each church building by the Church Commissioners.

613194
Diocese:

Name of diocese in which the church building is located at the time of entry.

Durham
Archdeaconry:

Name of archdeaconry in which the church building is located at the time of entry

Unattached or Closed Church
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

Not Applicable

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Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

The decision to put a church building on the National Heritage List for England and assign it a listing grade is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is normally based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on the historic environment.

This is not a Listed Building
Scheduled Monument?

The decision to schedule a feature (building, monument, archaeological remains, etc.) located within the church building’s precinct or churchyard is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on cultural heritage.

There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

National Parks are areas of countryside that include villages and towns, which are protected because of their beautiful countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage. In England, National Parks are designated by Natural England, the government’s advisor on the natural environment.

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

Conservation areas are places of special architectural or historic interest where it is desirable to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of such areas. Conservation Areas are designated by the Local Council.

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Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?

The Heritage at Risk programme is run and managed by Historic England, the government’s advisor on cultural heritage. It aims to protect and manage the historic environment, so that the number of ‘at risk’ historic places and sites across England are reduced.

This church is not on the Heritage at Risk Register
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Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

Selecting a single date for the construction of a church building can sometimes be very difficult as most CoE buildings have seen many phases of development over time. The CHR allows you to record a time period rather than a specific date.

The CHR records the time period for the building’s predominant fabric as opposed to the date of the earliest fabric or the church’s foundation date.

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Exterior Image

Exterior photograph of 613194 Howden-le-Wear: St Mary the Virgin
Caption:

603242 

Exterior photograph of 613194 Howden-le-Wear: St Mary the Virgin
Description:

It seems to be the wrong photograph. Provided coordinates come up with another church on geograph.org.uk

Photograph Taken on 12 January 2007
Year / Date:

2011, April 06

2007
Copyright:

Keltek Trust

Archbishops' Council
Originator:

Keltek Trust

Archbishops' Council

Summary Description

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
A small and plain Victorian church of stone, in the middle of a large churchyard at the south end of Howden-le-Wear, an ex-colliery village characterised by small terraced houses. The church was designed in 1866 by Charles Hodgson Fowler of Durham, a prominent church architect who was prolific in the North-East. This is a very simple design, a workmanlike but not unattractive building. The gabled west belcote gives limited vertical emphasis, there are plain finial crosses to this, the nave and chancel east gables.

Visiting and Facilities

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The church is closed for worship.
Date closed for worship:
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Church Website

Church Website:

www.holytrinitylyonsdown.org.uk

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Sources and Further Information

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
James Miles (2018) Closed Churches [Digital Archive/Data]
CWGC (2016) Commonwealth War Graves Commission CWGC Unique File Reference Number: 03472A [Bibliography/Data]
Number of War Graves: 7
ICBS (1817-1989) Incorporated Church Building Society Archive https://images.lambethpalacelibrary.org.uk/luna/servlet/detail/LPLIBLPL~34~34~114373~117163 [Archive/Graphic material]

Ground plan

ICBS File Number - 06567

Coverage - 1866-1869

Created by FOWLER, Charles Hodgson: b. 1840 - d. 1910 of Durham

ICBS (1817-1989) Incorporated Church Building Society Archive https://images.lambethpalacelibrary.org.uk/luna/servlet/detail/LPLIBLPL~34~34~157792~121620 [Archive/Graphic material]

Ground plan

ICBS File Number - 11151

Coverage - 1913

Created by WOOD, William Henry: fl. 1874-1934 of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Archbishops' Council (2007) Interior photograph of 613194 Howden-le-Wear: St Mary the Virgin [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Interior photograph of 613194 Howden-le-Wear: St Mary the Virgin
Archbishops' Council (2007) Exterior photograph of 613194 Howden-le-Wear: St Mary the Virgin [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Exterior photograph of 613194 Howden-le-Wear: St Mary the Virgin
Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 1 Bell [Archive/Index]
1 Bell

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: NZ 161 332

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Administrative Area

Unitary Authority:

The administrative area within which the church is located.

County Durham

Location and Setting

This field describes the setting of the church building, i.e. the surroundings in which the church building is experienced, and whether or not it makes a positive or negative contribution to the significance of the building.

A small and plain Victorian church of stone, in the middle of a large churchyard at the south end of Howden-le-Wear, an ex-colliery village characterised by small terraced houses. The village is set in a valley and surrounded by open fields and woodland, sheltered by hills on two sides along the main A689 road linking Bishop Auckland and Crook.

The churchyard is laid to grass, there are mature trees dotted about, a mixture of deciduous and evergreen. The churchyard is defined by stone walls on three sides, with a plain wooden gate on the north side facing the village. A fence defines the border with the school playing field to the west. There are grave markers from the late 19th century, including the heart-shaped faience markers popular in Durham.  The churchyard is closed for burials and looked after by the local authority.

Church Plan

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Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

Provide as written description of the ground plan of the church building and well as its dimensions.

3½ bay nave, lower and narrower 2-bay chancel, vestry and organ chamber with boiler room under on south side of chancel, west porch.

Dimensions

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

Nave 20m (70ft) x 7m (22’6ft). Chancel & sanctuary 8m (26ft) x 5m (16ft).

Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

Small (<199m2)

Medium (200-599m2)

Large (600m-999m2)

Very Large (>1000m2)

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Description of Archaeology and History

This field aims to record the archaeological potential of the wider area around the building and churchyard, as well as the history of site.

The earliest evidence of occupation in the area is a single bronze axe found near the village, probably of Bronze Age date.  Few other remains earlier than the medieval period are known. It is possible that there was once a deserted medieval village at Harperley 1 mile north-west, though there are no remains to be seen today. Nearby is Low Harperley Hall, built in the 16th century and altered in the 18th century, though it is likely that there was once an earlier, medieval building on the site. Archaeological remains on the church site pre-dating the church are therefore possible, but unlikely.

Prior to 1830 the Howden-le-Wear area was rural in character with some evidence of minor coal extraction in the area. Following the opening of a coal mine at North Bitchburn in 1840 and the arrival of the railway in 1843 the village rapidly expanded.  The church was designed in 1866 by Charles Hodgson Fowler of Durham, a prominent church architect who was prolific in the North-East. The foundation stone for the church was laid in by Mrs Spencer of Helmington Hall, Hunwick, and completed in 1869.  It cost £1,400 to build, paid for largely by subscription and a grant from the ICBS.

In 1884 a church hall was erected adjacent to the churchyard gates, which fell into disuse and was demolished in 1994. A vestry was added in 1912-13 designed by William Henry Wood, a pupil of Fowler’s. The west porch was added between the wars. There was a fire in 1965 which destroyed most of the furnishings, these were replaced with such from other churches, possibly the now redundant church at nearby Fir Tree. The vestry was also rebuilt.

Exterior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the exterior of the church building and the churchyard.

This is a very simple design, a workmanlike but not unattractive building. The gabled west belcote gives limited vertical emphasis, there are plain finial crosses to this, the nave and chancel east gables.  Buttresses of two weatherings to the east end of the nave south wall, and the middle of the north wall. The style is Early English, with pointed lancets throughout, of which there is a pair to each bay of the nave, two pairs to the chancel south wall, a stepped triplet to the west end and a 3-light plate tracery window to the east end with a sexfoil in the gable. The entrance is in the south wall of the porch, pointed and with a hoodmould to block stops, a small rectangular window adjacent. The lean-to vestry and organ chamber has a 3-light shouldered window in the wall and a 2-light in the west wall next to a shouldered doorway, lancet in the east wall.

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Who:
Charles Hodgson Fowler
Role:
Architect
From:
01 Jan 1866
To:
31 Dec 1866
Contribution:

Building Fabric and Features

This field is an index of the building and its major components

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Collapse Building Fabric and FeaturesBuilding Fabric and Features
STAINED GLASS (1875-85)
STAINED GLASS (After 1892)
STAINED GLASS (1909)

Building Materials

This field is an index of the building’s material composition

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Collapse Building MaterialsBuilding Materials
SANDSTONE
WELSH SLATE

Interior Image

Interior photograph of 613194 Howden-le-Wear: St Mary the Virgin
Caption:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Interior photograph of 613194 Howden-le-Wear: St Mary the Virgin
Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Photograph Taken on 12 January 2007
Year / Date:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
2007
Copyright:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Archbishops' Council
Originator:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Archbishops' Council

Interior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the interior of the church building.

The interior is simple, whitewashed except for the chancel arch, with woodblock floors and blue carpet down the central alley. The dark-stained roofs are a simple scissor- and arch-braced construction taken down to plain stone corbels; the boards between the members are painted red. The furnishings are an attractive set, mostly brought from elsewhere. The nave has rows of simple open-backed pews with curved ends, a nave altar has been introduced.

There is a tracery wooden screen within the plain chancel arch of two orders, the inner order taken down to moulded corbels. The chancel has attractive oak choir stalls with pierced ogee fronts. The south side of the chancel is dominated by the large organ case with displayed plain pipes, a shouldered south doorway to the chancel leads to the vestry and the organ. Sanctuary floor of sandstone slabs. Oak panelling and reredos at the east end, and stained glass.

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

This field is an index of the building’s internal, architectural components. This includes its internal spaces and those areas’ fixtures and fittings (building components which are securely fixed to the church or cathedral).

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Collapse Internal Fixtures and FittingsInternal Fixtures and Fittings
ALTAR
BELL (1 of 1)
FONT (OBJECT) (1869)
LECTERN
ORGAN (OBJECT) (1965)
PULPIT
REREDOS

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

This field is an index of the building’s movable, non-fixed furnishings and artworks.

Work in progress - can you help?

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: NZ 161 332

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Ecology

This field aims to record a description of the ecology of the churchyard and surrounding setting.

Work in progress - can you help?

Ecological Designations

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The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this Closed Church.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this Closed Church.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Closed Church.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

This field aims to record any evidence of the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

The church has no evidence of bats

Burial and War Grave Information

This field records basic information about the presence of a churchyard and its use as a burial ground.

It is unknown whether the church or churchyard is consecrated. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard is closed for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The churchyard has war graves.

National Heritage List for England Designations

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There are no Listed Buildings within the curtilage of this Closed Church.

There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this Closed Church.

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

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Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

There are currently no Ancient, Veteran or Notable trees connected to this Closed Church

Churchyard Structures

This field is an index of the churchyard’s components.

Work in progress - can you help?

Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Significance is the whole set of reasons why people value a church, whether as a place for worship and mission, as an historic building that is part of the national heritage, as a focus for the local community, as a familiar landmark or for any other reasons.

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Setting Significance Description:
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Fabric Significance Level:
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Fabric Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
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Interior Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Interior Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Community Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
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Community Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
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Church Renewables

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Open the map of church renewable installations
Solar PV Panels:

This information forms part of the Shrinking the Footprint project.

No
Solar Thermal Panels:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Bio Mass:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Air Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Ground Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Wind Turbine:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
EV Car Charging:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown

Species Summary

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Closed Church . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

CategoryTotal species recorded to date
TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES RECORDED 0
Total number of animal species 0
Total number of plant species 0
Total number of mammal species 0
Total number of birds 0
Total number of amphibian and reptile species 0
Total number of invertebrate species 0
Total number of fungi species 0
Total number of mosses and liverworts (bryophytes) 0
Total number of ferns 0
Total number of flowering plants 0
Total number of Gymnosperm and Ginkgo 0

Caring for God’s Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all of the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.

‘Seek Advice’ Species

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

If any of the following species have been seen close to the Closed Church, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the Closed Church, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the Closed Church. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the Closed Church and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this Closed Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

The church was the centre of many people’s lives and remains a guide to their cares and concerns. Glimpses into those lives have often come down to us in the stories we heard as children or old photographs discovered in tattered shoe boxes. Perhaps your ancestors even made it into local legend following some fantastic event? You can choose to share those memories with others and record them for future generations on this Forum.

Tell us the story of this building through the lives of those who experienced it. Tell us why this church is important to you and your community.

Upload your photographs, share your videos, or compose your story below using a Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus account.

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WhoActionWhen
Oliver LackModified the Grid ReferenceFri 26 Aug 2022 09:54:07
Oliver LackAdded an Architect, Artist or Associated Person/OrganisationFri 26 Aug 2022 09:52:41
Oliver LackModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionFri 26 Aug 2022 09:51:45
Oliver LackAdded image of the exterior of the buildingFri 26 Aug 2022 09:51:02
Oliver LackAdded image of the interior of the buildingFri 26 Aug 2022 09:49:04
Oliver LackAdded fabric typeFri 26 Aug 2022 09:46:58
Oliver LackAdded fabric typeFri 26 Aug 2022 09:46:40
Oliver LackAdded fabric typeFri 26 Aug 2022 09:46:19
Oliver LackAdded interior feature typeFri 26 Aug 2022 09:45:44
Oliver LackAdded interior feature typeFri 26 Aug 2022 09:45:20
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