Church Heritage Record 613220

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Core DetailsLocationBuildingInteriorChurchyardSignificanceEnvironmentForumAudit

Staindrop: St Mary

Name:

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

Staindrop: St Mary
Record Type:

A classification of the current status of the building

Church
Church code:

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

613220
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

Auckland
Parish:

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

Staindrop

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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 a Grade I Listed Building
View more information about this Listed Building on the National Heritage List for England web site
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.

The church is in the following Conservation Area: Staindrop

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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.

Medieval

Exterior Image

View of St Mary church from the North East
Caption:

603242 

View of St Mary church from the North East
Description:

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

North eastern view of the exterior or St Mary's church in the Parish of Staindrop.
Year / Date:

2011, April 06

2017
Copyright:

Keltek Trust

St Mary Parochial Church Council
Originator:

Keltek Trust

St Mary Parochial Church Council

Summary Description

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Staindrop Church has been linked with some of the most memorable names throughout English / British history. It is first recorded as part of King Canute’s holdings, which were given to the new priory at Durham in 1031. Subsequently the church and lands were given to the old Earls of Northumberland (Dolfin son of Uchtred) who had a holding at Raby. This family married the Neville heiress and the Neville name was adopted by the family from then on. Locally the family name is synonymous with Neville’s Cross in Durham City, and also as great benefactors to Durham Cathedral. From this dynasty sprang Ralph Neville whose daughter Cecily Neville (by Joan Beaufort) was mother to Edward IV and Richard III (currently brought back to fame by the novel ‘The White Queen’). Many members of the Neville dynasty were buried in Staindrop Church in the family vault – including said Ralph – until the ill fated ‘Rising of the North’ which was plotted at Raby by Henry Neville after which the family lost everything. After a brief period in the hands of the crown the Castle and lands were purchased by Sir Henry Vane from Charles I around 1626-1633. Since that time the Vane family have continued to hold the castle and gained the title of Lords Barnard and the Lord remains Patron to the Church and the Lay Rector. St Mary’s continues to be a humble parish church, serving the local community in which it is set. The link to Raby remains strong and there is active involvement with the Vane family, however, most of the congregation are villagers with little or no Raby connection.

Visiting and Facilities

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The church is open for worship.
Work in progress - can you help?
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Church Website

Church Website:

www.holytrinitylyonsdown.org.uk

http://www.stmarysstaindrop.org.uk

Sources and Further Information

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
St Mary Parochial Church Council (2017) Plan of Staindrop: St Mary [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Plan of Staindrop: St Mary
St Mary Parochial Church Council (2017) View of St Mary church from the North East [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
View of St Mary church from the North East
Catherine Townsend (2014) Interior of St Mary Church [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Interior of St Mary Church
Church of England (2021) A Church Near You https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/13582/ [Digital Archive/Index]
View information on worship and access at this church
ICBS (1817-1989) Incorporated Church Building Society Archive https://images.lambethpalacelibrary.org.uk/luna/servlet/detail/LPLIBLPL~34~34~89969~114174 [Archive/Graphic material]

Ground plan

ICBS File Number - 04130

Coverage - 1849

Created by BONOMI (IGNATIUS) & CORY (JOHN AUGUSTUS)

ICBS (1817-1989) Incorporated Church Building Society Archive https://images.lambethpalacelibrary.org.uk/luna/servlet/detail/LPLIBLPL~34~34~89979~114175 [Archive/Graphic material]

Other

ICBS File Number - 04130

Coverage - 1849

Created by ?BONOMI (IGNATIUS) & CORY (JOHN AUGUSTUS)

ICBS (1817-1989) Incorporated Church Building Society Archive https://images.lambethpalacelibrary.org.uk/luna/servlet/detail/LPLIBLPL~34~34~89988~114176 [Archive/Graphic material]

Ground plan

ICBS File Number - 04130

Coverage - 1849

Created by BONOMI (IGNATIUS) & CORY (JOHN AUGUSTUS)

Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 8 Bells [Archive/Index]
8 Bells

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 131 206

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.

The church occupies a commanding position at the extreme east of the village standing on the bend of the A688 at its junction with the B6274 and alongside the Langley Beck. The pre- conquest tower, with 13th and 15th Century additions, dominates and allows the church to be seen for some distance outside the village.

The church itself stands centrally in the well maintained churchyard. Staindrop village is approximately 6 miles from Barnard Castle, 11.6 miles from Darlington, 9.5 miles from Bishop Auckland and 20 miles from Durham.

Church Plan

Plan of Staindrop: St Mary
Caption:
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Plan of Staindrop: St Mary
Description:
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Plan of the St Mary's Church in the parish of Staindrop
Year / Date:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
2017
Copyright:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
St Mary Parochial Church Council
Originator:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
St Mary Parochial Church Council

Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

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

Work in progress - can you help?

Dimensions

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?

Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

Small (<199m2)

Medium (200-599m2)

Large (600m-999m2)

Very Large (>1000m2)

730 m2

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.

Work in progress - can you help?

Exterior Description

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

St Mary the Virgin Church at Staindrop is a fine medieval parish church. The building has Saxon origins with a suggested date of 771 as the foundation, but the current building dates principally from the early C12 and is Grade I listed; in addition several headstones and gate piers to both the southwest and northeast are individually Grade II listed (See Appendix 1 for statutory listings).Originally dedicated to St. Gregory, it was altered and extended many times up to the mid C15 when the last major phase of development took place. Although there have been alterations to the furnishings, particularly those in the chancel in 1849.

The building consists of a four-bay nave with aisles (the south aisle having both a south porch and a small projecting sacristy at its south-east corner), an engaged western tower, and a north transept; the three-bay chancel has a two-storeyed vestry to the north-east.

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

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Who:
Donald Insall Associates
Role:
Architect / Surveyor ICM55
From:
To:
Contribution:

Building Fabric and Features

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

Work in progress - can you help?

Building Materials

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

Work in progress - can you help?

Interior Image

Interior of St Mary Church
Caption:
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Interior of St Mary Church
Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Interior view of the nave of St Mary Church in the parish Staindrop
Year / Date:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
2014
Copyright:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Archbishops' Council
Originator:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Catherine Townsend

Interior Description

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

On entering the church one is greeted by a large almost rectangular Nave in which can be found evidence of the original 8th Century Anglo Saxon church (the walling above the 3 east arches and the chancel arch - including an old sundial) dedicated to St Gregory. In the 10th and 11th Centuries the chancel of this was lengthened, the walls taken down and the present 3 eastern- most arcade of pillars built to widen the nave. In addition, a small tower was constructed at the west end. Later in the 12th/13th Centuries there was a greater amount of building work, the nave being lengthened westward, the tower rebuilt, and transepts added. The Chancel also underwent reconstruction to its current proportions and “a building erected on its north side two stories in height, the lower room being used for the purposes of a vestry, and the upper one possibly for the abode of an Anchoret.” The chancel walls at this point are pierced by slanting windows or Hagioscopes which overlook the High Altar, although the glazing is now blocked.

In 1343, Ralph de Neville obtained licence to found three ‘chauntries’ in the church of Staindrop. The south aisle was widened again, taking on all of the transept, this time using the more expensive ashlar stonework currently found there. At this point too the south porch was added and the small room at the extreme corner of the south-east wall (probably to serve as a vestry) both being built entirely of stone. This period of building work also included the canopied monument in the south wall although the adjacent sedilia probably predates them, and belonged to a slightly earlier chapel in this area. The stone-carved figures are those of Euphemia de Clavering (d.1320) the wife of Ralph de Neville and Isabella Neville (d.1254). The child is an unknown Neville child.

In 1408 Cardinal Langley granted a licence to Ralph Neville, first Earl of Westmorland, to found a collegiate college at Staindrop. This college was built to the north of the church, between the churchyard wall and Langley Beck. Nothing remains of this building, although some stonework from it was returned to the church and is stored by the North door. The remaining artefacts from the college comprise the chancel stalls c.1410 and the large chest at the head of the main aisle. The Rood Screen predates the college being mid 14th Century

and is the only pre reformation screen in Durham Diocese. This building work also meant the priests’ door was moved further east (now hidden behind the panelling internally and by a buttress externally). It was at this point that the tower was raised, new windows inserted in the chancel, and the clerestory built. It was also in this period that the north aisle was widened encompassing most of that transept, resulting in the current state of the church.

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).

Skip Navigation Links.
Collapse Internal Fixtures and FittingsInternal Fixtures and Fittings
BELL (1 of 8)
BELL (2 of 8)
BELL (3 of 8)
BELL (4 of 8)
BELL (5 of 8)
BELL (6 of 8)
BELL (7 of 8)
BELL (8 of 8)
FONT (COMPONENT) (15th Century )
TOMB (COMPONENT) (1425 - Ralph Neville, 1St Earl of Westmorland)
TOMB (COMPONENT) (1564 - Henry Neville)
TOMB (COMPONENT) (1840s - Vane Family memorials )

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 131 206

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

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

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 Church.

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

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this 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?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard is closed for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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The churchyard does not have war graves.

National Heritage List for England Designations

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

Designation TypeNameGrade  
Listed Building Group Of 4 Headstones Approximately 5 Metres West Of Church Of St. Mary II View more

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.

NameStatusNumber found in this site 
Common beech Notable tree 2
Common horse chestnut Veteran tree 1
Common horse chestnut Lost Veteran tree 1
Common sycamore Notable tree 1
Common lime Notable tree 1
Oak Notable tree 1

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

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

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All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the 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 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 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 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 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 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
James MilesAdded image of the interior of the buildingTue 27 Feb 2018 12:26:25
James MilesAdded image of the exterior of the buildingTue 27 Feb 2018 10:44:16
James MilesAdded a plan of the buildingTue 27 Feb 2018 10:42:13
James MilesAdded interior feature typeTue 27 Feb 2018 10:36:18
James MilesAdded interior feature typeTue 27 Feb 2018 10:35:44
James MilesAdded interior feature typeTue 27 Feb 2018 10:34:10
James MilesAdded interior feature typeTue 27 Feb 2018 10:33:02
James MilesModified asset data - Modified the Interior DescriptionTue 27 Feb 2018 10:30:55
James MilesModified asset data - Modified the Exterior DescriptionTue 27 Feb 2018 10:29:22
James MilesModified asset data - Modified the Exterior DescriptionTue 27 Feb 2018 10:29:12
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