Facilities and features
Accessibility
We have a an easy access toilet fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act.
(We are also "Twinned" with a a church in Nepal).
Baby changing facilities are provided in the toilet, where there is a changing mat, nappy bags and wet wipes.
Parking is on the roadside adjacent to the church.
We have a fully compliant Easy Access Toilet.
Parking is available outside the church gates, a short distance from the church door, along a paved path with no steps.
A community defibrillator is located approximately 150 metres away from the church.
The access to the church is via a ramp that leads to a pathway to the church (100metres)
The access to the Nave area is ramped to provide access. The chancel area is not ramped and there are 2 steps from the Nave to the chancel area. Our clergy will provide sacraments to disabled people in the Nave area if requested.
This is available at all our services.
We have approximately 60 copies of large print hymn books and 10 copies of the Bible in large print.
We also have the facility to display any material on two large screens in the Nave area of the church.
We welcome assistance dogs into our church.
We can provide gluten free wafers for Holy Communion and gluten free refreshments if notified in advance.
There is a ramp up to the church gates, and then a straight path leading into the church. The seating inside the building can be moved easily to accommodate a wheelchair.
Our Building
The chancel has stained glass windows on 2 sides, depicting stories from the life of Christ, and the stained glass in the bell tower commemorates St. Cuthbert and Bishop Van Mildert (under whose patronage the church was built).
We will open up the church for private worship and prayer upon request wherever possible.
The church is a stone built Grade II listed building, consecrated in 1832.
We currently hold a Silver Eco-church Award, and are working towards a Gold. We are committed to improving the environment, and helping to educate people about caring for the planet and how to participate in small ways to reduce their carbon footprints. We usually use Fair Trade tea and coffee for our refreshments, and we recycle batteries, printer cartridges, soft plastics and stamps. We are working with local Beaver, Cub and Scout groups to help them earn conservation badges, and are developing a wild area to encourage biodiversity within the churchyard. We log our wildlife observations and upload them to a national database.
Music and Worship
We provide facilities for concerts. Check our calendar for any upcoming events.
We use the Book of Common Prayer as our main source of prayer and worship
Groups, Courses and Activities
We run a monthly Messy Church and are hoping to develop a Youth Group soon.
We provide a Bible Study resource during Lent.
Our Coffee Mornings are held on the first Saturday of each month from 9.30 a.m to 11.30 a.m. All are welcome. We ask for donations for the refreshments, and we have a raffle.
Please look out for school holiday events in our calendar, as we do try to run activities for children and their parents.
Messy Church is held in term times, on the second Sunday of the month from after school (3.15 p.m) until 5.00 p.m. This is suitable for children up to 11, who must be accompanied by a parent. We have themed crafts, a short worship session and then a 2 course meal. We ask for donations towards our costs.
Our Friday Lunch Club is aimed at this age group. Meet in church from 11.00 a.m for a hot drink and biscuit, and enjoy a 2 course meal at 12.30 p.m. We ask for donations towards the cost. No need to book, but please advise us a couple of days beforehand if you have specific dietary requirements. Allergen advice for all our meals is available in church. As a special treat, children from the village nursery come to entertain us on the last Friday of each month.
Help for Visitors
At the moment we are not normally open unless we are holding a service or event. Please see our calendar for details of these.
Other Features
As part of our commitment to creating a fairer world, we aim to use Fair Trade tea and coffee for our refreshments.
We support our Local Foodbank at Woodhouse Close Church in Bishop Auckland.
We have a state of the art Audio Visual system installed in the Nave area.
We are working to develop a designated Wild Area within the churchyard to improve its biodiversity.
We support Back to Church Sunday by inviting our friends and neighbours to come to church.