SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CHURCH – AND SPONSOR A FLAGSTONE
THE Friends of St Thomas Church, Stanhope is a small group of community-minded people who
would welcome help in maintaining the building for future generations to enjoy.
Everyone must be aware that a significant number of churches and chapels have closed over the
last few years, especially in Weardale and the ‘Friends’ is committed to ensuring that the church at
Stanhope remains open and in a structurally sound condition so that when the good people of
Weardale need a venue for a Baptism, wedding, funeral and other community events and activities,
the church is there for them.
It is to that end that the ‘Friends’ are actively fundraising and have launched the latest appeal –
‘Sponsor a Stone’. In 2023, dry rot was found in a large area but that was treated but to ensure this
does not re-occur in the future, the floor has been excavated in the north end and a decision was
made to replace the wooden floor with stone slabs, These have been sourced locally from Dunhouse
Quarry. The remaining floor areas will also be replaced in the same way sometime in the future.
The project, of course, is not without costs and to help fund this work, the ‘Friends’ has a number
of stones available to sponsor with a suggested donation of £100. Each of these sponsored stones
can be in memory of someone – a family member, perhaps. It is a unique opportunity for individuals
or families to remember a loved one or give thanks for a wedding or Baptism with the names of the
donors recorded in the church and certificate presented on completion of the project, highlighting
the stone allocated and the name of the person to whom it is dedicated.
St Thomas church has been at the heart of Stanhope and Weardale for around 1000 years, second
only to Durham Cathedral. Indeed, many of those pastors who led it went on to become Bishops of
Durham. The church retains many of the features acquired when the Saxon church was reshaped by
the Normans.
The present church has many important and unusual features, including a pre-Christian Roman
Altar, a Saxon font and some medieval glass. In the churchyard is the fossilised tree – around
320,000,000 years old, brought down from Edmundbyers Cross in the 1960s.
Over the centuries, requirements and fashions have led to several alterations, which have not
changed the original Norman style. A major restoration took place in 1886-1887 when the unique,
hump-backed roof was replaced. The West Window has been relatively recently replaced and
includes the stunning medieval glass. Below the window is some superb carved 17 th century
panelling forming part of a Reredos (an ornamental screen covering the wall at the back of an altar).
Recently, some Victorian pews have been removed to enable the church to be used – as in earlier
times – for communal activities. Two oval Baroque panels in wood, showing Adam and Eve and
Christ with St Peter – Flemish 17 th century – can be seen in the chancel.
St Thomas church, Stanhope must be retained and the cry for help has gone out to the people. It
is far too precious to be lost to future generations. The history, the work of our forefathers, for the
people yet to come, it has to be secured. It would be a tragedy to lose this jewel in the Weardale
crown of Christianity and the clock is ticking.
You can help by aiding The Friends of St Thomas Church by supporting their fundraising efforts,
including the Sponsor a Stone initiative.
If you would like to sponsor one of the flagstones, the £100 donation can be made by cheque to
Friends of St Thomas or bank transfer to : sort code 20-45-45, Account No 30486310. After making
payment, let the Membership Secretary know so that your donation and to whom it is dedicated can
be recorded.
The Membership Secretary is Mr William Hobson, 82 Front Street, Stanhope, DL13 2XF or email:
Be assured that no church or chapel is safe and they NEED your support to remain open. Those
that have closed over the last few years include St Andrew’s, Westgate and St Michael and All
Angels, Frosterley as well as the Methodist chapels in Wearhead, St John’s Chapel, High House
Ireshopeburn, Westgate, Eastgate and Frosterley. Places of Christian religious worship may not
appear very important to some but times and opinions change. One thing cannot be changed,
however, and that is when they are gone, they can not return.
Christian churches appear to be the only religious buildings that DO close down in this country –
other religions continue to build and support their places of worship.
Do not let it happen in Stanhope – please help where you can.
