This year—specifically on 12th September 2025—marks the 175th anniversary of St Cuthbert’s Church, located on Church Bank in Benfieldside, Consett (DH8 0NW). To celebrate this remarkable milestone, a special weekend of events is planned from 12th to 14th September.
12th September: 7pm Special Service of thanksgiving in Church.
13th September: 2pm-4pm Church Hall – Autumn Fair with stalls, children’s activities and refreshments. In Church – Exhibition of photographs and Flower Displays.
14th September: 10.30am Harvest Festival in Church followed by a Harvest Faith Lunch in the Church Hall.
St. Cuthbert’s was designed by renowned local Architect John Dobson and was built in the period 1849-1851 on land given by Thomas Wilson of Shotley Hall at a total cost of £2700, most raised by public subscription. The first service took place on the 12th September 1850. It was further extended between 1881-86 with the addition of a south aisle and a new peal of bells within the tower. A short description from Pevsner describes the church as constructed of buff stone with two windows by William Wailes, a celebrated stained glass designer of his time.
St. Cuthbert’s Church has been one of the focal points of our community for an incredible length of time and many have both current and past associations with not only the church itself but the many groups and activities based around the church and its parish. As a Church that has served the community for 175 years we have been a focus for not only worship, but many of the events in people’s lives from Weddings and Funerals, to Remembrances, Fairs, Christenings and our very popular Christmas events. Many people have current and past associations with our church and its role within our parish.
For such a longstanding community landmark, we hope you will come to enjoy displays in church celebrating the life and history of the church community over the years, with an exhibition of photographs (past and present) from weddings, baptisms and celebrations of church life. There will be displays from the groups associated with the church and music as part of our planned activities.
To commence, on Friday 12th September, we will host a special 7pm thanksgiving service led by The Rt. Revd. Frank White, Assistant Bishop in our Diocese of Durham, followed by light refreshments in the Church Hall. On Saturday 13th September, in our Church Hall, our Autumn Fair takes centre stage from 2pm-4pm with stalls, tombola, jams and preserves as well as home made refreshments. Downstairs in the lower rooms, there will be children’s activities – decorating a scarecrow cupcake, bobbing for apples, making corn dollies and a Lucky Dip. Over the weekend in Church an extensive collection of displays, flower arrangements and children’s artwork will be on show by all groups connected with the Church and Church Hall. We are planning to have the church open all weekend so these can be viewed at your leisure. On Sunday 14th September at 10.30 a.m., we will end the celebrations with our Harvest Festival Eucharist, followed by a Harvest Faith Lunch in the Church Hall.
Our celebration is your celebration also, it is for everyone far and wide, as well as local to experience, with a very warm and cordial invitation to enjoy and be part of a special celebration for our community. We hope to see you there.
Website: http://saintcuthberts.blogspot.com/
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