Historic Holy Trinity Church in Darlington is to stage a year-long programme of exciting events to celebrate renovations designed to grow its congregation and increase its community involvement.
Picture By: Keith Blundy
The Ven Nick Barker at Holy Trinity, Darlington
The church in Woodlands Road has carried out a £450,000 repair and improvement project to safeguard its future after securing grants and more than £100,000 in legacies. The bulk of the money, £250,000, came from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The church, which was consecrated in 1838, is a grade II* historic building which required repair and now it has arranged a year of events starting on February 20 to celebrate the success of the work, including an appearance by a vintage singing group, a choral concert, an appearance by a silver band, an art exhibition, summer fair, talks and an event featuring television antiques expert David Harper.
The improvements will enable more school visits, concerts, open days and community events to happen and new interpretative material will heighten people’s awareness of the value of the building.
The Ven Nick Barker said: “We are thrilled with the work that has been done. The church itself has great quality and we have sought to respect that in the renovations completed. Due to the generosity of many we give thanks to God that we have been able to do more than we ever thought possible. We are very grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for their substantial grant. The congregation is excited about all we have achieved and all that lies ahead.“
Holy Trinity was built as a chapel of ease to St Cuthbert’s church to meet the needs of the expansion of Darlington after the arrival of the railway. The foundation stone was laid on 4 October 1836. The roof that has been replaced was the original roof and needed replacing after 175 years.
Programme of Events:
40’s Evening with the Doo Wop Dollies
Saturday 20th February 2016 at 7pm
Darlington Choral Society perform extracts from Handel’s Messiah
Saturday 19th March 2016 at 7pm
Cockerton Silver Band
Saturday 16th April at 7pm
Art Exhibition by local professional artist Lynne Abley-Burton, Darlington’s Gina Morton
and Darlington Mind Art Group
Tuesday 24th May – Saturday 28th May 11am – 2pm
Renewal of Wedding Vows
Saturday 25th June at 5.45pm
A Century of Wedding Gowns: A Fashion Show with a difference
Saturday 25th June at 7pm
Holy Trinity Annual Summer Fair
Saturday 9th July 10am-12 midday
Children’s Holiday Club: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Tuesday 29th August – Friday 2nd September
Northumbria Historic Churches Trust Steeplechase
and evening with Chris Lloyd
Saturday 10th September
An Evening with local TV Antiques Expert David Harper
Saturday 15th October at 7pm
The Fighting Bradfords: A talk for Remembrance Day by Harry Moses
Saturday 12th November at 2pm-3pm
Northern Voices in Concert
Saturday 19th November at 7pm
Christmas Flower Festival and Celebration Service
Friday 2nd December –Sunday 4th December