Diameter: 18" Bell 1 of 1
Dove Bell ID: 50402 Tower ID: 17926 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Annfield Plain: St Aidan
Overview
Grid reference: NZ 172 512
Built 1925 (as recorded by a stone in the east wall) and consecrated in 1929 (as recorded by a plaque in the vestry). To designs of Hicks and Charlewood of Newcastle Upon Tyne. Replaced a mission church on a different site (dated 1904?). Alterations and extensions to north side in 1980s to provide kitchen and toilets.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Visitor toilets and parking available
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
6-bay nave with 2-bay lean-to north and south aisles towards the east end of the nave. North aisle partitioned to form parish room, with kitchen added to west, and toilets to east. Chancel with north organ chamber and north vestry. Bellcote, south of chancel.
Dimensions:
Nave – 25.5m long x 9m wide ; chancel -9m long x 6m wide
Description of Archaeology and History
This is the first known building on the site, so the archaeological potential is low.
Annfield Plain is a former colliery village. A coal pit was to the south of the church. There was a disaster there in 1947 and a memorial to those who died is located in the churchyard. Annfield Plain grew rapidly in the C19th. Between 1831 and 1841four pit shafts and coke ovens at Bankfoot were established and in 1832 the Stanhope and Tyne Railway was opened. The town is characterised by workers’ housing.
A mission hall was establish on another site in 1904 (?) and after St Aidan’s was built functioned as a hall for many years. It has since been sold and redeveloped. The foundation stone in the east elevation records the building of the church in 1925. The QIR records the architects as Hicks and Charlewood of Newcastle Upon Tyne. A plaque in the vicar’s vestry records its’ consecration in 1929 by Lord Bishop of Durham. Annfield Plain became a parish in its own right at that time. The chancel was renovated in 1924 in memory of Barbara Vevers, and after the church hall was sold in the 1980s, the north aisle was partitioned to make a parish room. A kitchen was added 1981-2 and toilets in 1984.
Exterior Description
Large but simple brick structure with fairly shallow roofs and tall brick elevations. Round-headed lancets in pairs, three in the east end. Perspex secondary glazing. Lean-to aisles and north vestry. Access through vestry in north-east corner, or doors in south-west or south-east corners. The main entrance in the south-west corner has tiered orders of brickwork framing the door and three steps. Stone finial over east gable. A bell-turret projects on the south side, to the east of the nave gable end. The chancel is lower than the nave.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
20th century 6-bay
Aisle
20th century north and south
Kitchen
20th century
Chancel
20th century
Organ (component)
20th century chamber
Vestry
20th century
Bellcote
20th century
Building Materials
Brick
20th century
Slate
20th century roof tiles
Stone
20th century dressings
Timber
20th century roof structure
Painted Plaster
20th century interior walls
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is a large space with a level floor of wood boards with cork tiles laid in the aisles. Seating is provided by wood chair. These have been cleared towards the west end where tables and modern upholstered metal framed chairs have been arranged. The south-west door has an inner lobby, and the westernmost bay is partitioned by a simple wood screen. The font is positioned in the centre beneath the west wall with its 2 single light windows. The ceiling, formed of partially hidden steel trusses with stepped boarding behind, is showing signs of deterioration and is painted a bright red. Windows are of clear diamond leaded panes with a coloured border. Modern domestic light fittings are suspended from the ceilings. Wall-mounted gas heaters are fixed to the north and south nave walls.
Towards the east end of the nave the south aisle is separated from the nave by a 2-bay round-arched arcade. Within it the windows contain stained glass. There is an altar towards the east end of the aisle and another doorway in the south-east corner. The north aisle would have mirrored this but has been partitioned, leaving an impression of the arcades only.
A high round-headed chancel arch leads from the nave to the chancel. A wood screen fitted beneath separates the nave and spaces. There is one step up. Choir stalls oppose each other inside. An organ is positioned within an arch to the north. The sanctuary is raised by another step and the altar on two further steps. A door to the north leads through to the vestry. The chancel and choir has wood panelling all around. Names are inscribed into the panelling behind the south side choir stalls as a war memorial.
The partitioned north aisle functions as a meeting space, with a kitchen up steps at one end, and toilets within an extension north of the organ chamber.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century main and lady altars - panelled oak table
Pulpit
20th century Octagonal oak with blind traceried panels and integrated steps, in north-east corner of nave. A war memorial – see below. Dated 1924, by Elizabeth Davies. Davies is becoming recognised as a significant regional Arts and Crafts figure so is of regional significance.
Lectern
20th century Oak with carved figure of St Aidan. Base inscribed in memory of Elizabeth Pearson, 1940.
Font (component)
20th century Circular stone with lead-lined bowl and flat wood cover. Also a small portable wooden font in south aisle.
Reredos
20th century Painted oak, gift of Mothers' Union as inscribed. Altar would once have been against.
Stall
20th century • Choir and clergy stalls carved and panelled oak in memory of Barbara Vevers, 1934 as recorded by a plaque on the wall. • Clergy stalls in memory of William Collin and Nancy Robertson, c.1923.
Pew (component)
20th century Nave pew frontals inscribed in memory of Jane Scott 1941, David Turnbull 1942 and George Hopper 1949.
Chair
20th century Nave seated with wooden chairs.
Rail
20th century Oak carved in style to match chancel screen. Inscribed in memory of John George Jackson 1915, Sarah Ann Jackson 1940, and Martha Jackson 1941. C 1930s.
Organ (component)
20th century 2 manual wind action organ by Nelson, 1928.
Inscribed Object
20th century • WWI – white marble memorial plaque on black ground, in memory of Harding, d.1917 – former north aisle (now parish room) • WWI – pulpit, by Elizabeth Davies, an inscription is recorded www.newmp.org.uk • WWII - names of those who died in active service, inscribed in the chancel, south side, oak panels. • WWII – Prie Dieu - In loving memory of Raymond Taylor Flying Officer RAF d.1944 (as recorded www.newmp.org.uk)
Stained Glass
20th century • E window - 3 lights – central Crucifixion with Mary and another either side. In memory of George and Mary Stirling, 1929. Attributed by Dr Neil Moat to Reed, Millican & Co. of Newcastle on Tyne and probably executed by (Colonel) Henry Cyril Millican FBSMGP (1884-1938). Significant work by regional studio, worthy of reloation; • Chancel, S – single light - St Aidan, in memory of Emily Robertson d.1943. No signature. • South aisle, E – 2 lights – Angel Gabriel and Mary d.1943 in memory of Barbara Jane Vevers, d.1934 and John Vevers d.1943 and Margaret d.1946. Signed Abbott & Co Ltd. Lancaster. • South aisle – left - Suffer Little Children, in memory of John William Fawsett d.1946. Signed Abbott & Co Ltd. Lancaster, • South aisle – right - Simeon – In memory of Mary Ann Fawsett d.1952.
Screen
20th century Oak screen between nave and chancel. Inscribed on east side. C. 1930s.
Bells
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers since 1914.
Churchyard
Grid reference: NZ 172 512
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.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
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.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
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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