Nominal: 722 Hz Weight: 1701 lbs Diameter: 43.19" Bell 1 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1925
Dove Bell ID: 6278 Tower ID: 11192 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Staindrop: St Mary
Overview
Grid reference: NZ 131 206
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
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 730 m²
Exterior Description
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.
Interior
Interior Description
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.
Fixtures and fittings
Tomb (component)
1425 - Ralph Neville, 1St Earl of Westmorland The large alabaster tomb is that of Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland, (d. 1425) and of his wives - Margaret Stafford, daughter of Hugh, Earl of Stafford, and Joan Beaufort, daughter of John of Gaunt and half sister of Henry IV. It is presumed this was donated by John of Gaunt using stone from his quarry at Tutbury in Staffordshire
Tomb (component)
1564 - Henry Neville The oak tomb is that of Henry Neville who died in 1564 and that of two of his wives, Anne, daughter of the Earl of Rutland, and Jane, daughter of Sir Richard Cholmondeley. The children of the marriage are carved in niches on the side of the tomb, the front of which displays the family crest.
Tomb (component)
1840s - Vane Family memorials The tombs near the north door are memorials to members of the Vane family. The central effigy is in memory of William Harry Vane, 1st Duke of Cleveland, and was sculptured in white marble by Richard Westmacott, President of the Royal Academy. This tomb was originally positioned in the chancel (as were all the monuments), and was moved as part of a restoration programme by the Duke of Cleveland in the mid 19th century. Three of the others are by Robert Cooke of London - Henry, 2nd Earl of Darlington, Margaret, Countess of Darlington, and Katharine Margaret also Countess of Darlington. There is also a monument to John Lee - Attorney General (d.1793) with bust by Nollekens, and a simple tablet by him to Tabitha Lee.
Font (component)
15th Century The late 15th century Teesdale marble font was originally painted black and stood at the head of the main aisle. It was moved to its present position when a pipe organ was installed in 1846. The font carries the arms of Lord Bergevenny (sixth son of the 1st Earl of Westmorland) - and his wife, Elizabeth Beauchamp.
Bells
Nominal: 1442.5 Hz Weight: 481 lbs Diameter: 26" Bell 2 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1925
Dove Bell ID: 40116 Tower ID: 11192 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1361 Hz Weight: 504 lbs Diameter: 27.06" Bell 3 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1925
Dove Bell ID: 40117 Tower ID: 11192 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1214 Hz Weight: 513 lbs Diameter: 27.94" Bell 4 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1925
Dove Bell ID: 40118 Tower ID: 11192 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1081 Hz Weight: 601 lbs Diameter: 30.06" Bell 5 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1925
Dove Bell ID: 40119 Tower ID: 11192 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 963 Hz Weight: 721 lbs Diameter: 32.5" Bell 6 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1925
Dove Bell ID: 40120 Tower ID: 11192 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 908 Hz Weight: 844 lbs Diameter: 34.56" Bell 7 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1925
Dove Bell ID: 40121 Tower ID: 11192 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 808 Hz Weight: 1099 lbs Diameter: 38.06" Bell 8 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1925
Dove Bell ID: 40122 Tower ID: 11192 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: NZ 131 206
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
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 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.
| Name | Status | Number found in this site |
|---|---|---|
| Common beech | Notabletree | 2 |
| Common horse chestnut | Veterantree | 1 |
| Common horse chestnut | Lostnotabletree | 1 |
| Common sycamore | Notabletree | 1 |
| Common lime | Notabletree | 1 |
| Oak | Notabletree | 1 |
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
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 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
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
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 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.
Further information
Sources
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