Durham City Guide - Churches, Chapels and Cafes

Durham Castle - The Norman Chapel and The Tunstall Chapel

The Tunstall Chapel was created in the 16th century by a Prince Bishop of Durham, Cuthbert Tunstall (1474-1559), and was built during the early days of the English Reformation, when King Henry VIII broke with the church of Rome.

The wood panelling of the Tunstall Chapel is notable for several unusual 15th century folding seats called misericords or 'mercy seats' which depict various mythical beasts. One carving shows a man apparently carrying his wife in a wheelbarrow.

The Norman Chapel is among the most important spaces in the castle and the city. It was built around 1080, is the oldest standing building in Durham and has a powerful atmosphere.

Opening Times
During University term time (see website below for dates) guided tours are normally available every afternoon at 13.15, 14.15, 15.15 and 16.15.
During University vacation (see website below for dates) guided tours are normally available morning and afternoons with tours running up to every 30 minutes during June to September.
To book a Guided Tour and for daily information on guided tour times please visit the website below or call 0191 334 2932.
A Guided Tour is £5.00 for an Adult, £4.00 Concession/Child over 5, £15.00 for a family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) and under 5s free

There is a charge for admission, which is by guided tour only.
Facilities for the visually impaired are available so please request when you book on to the tour.

The Norman Chapel and The Tunstall Chapel, Durham Castle, Palace Green, Durham DH1 3RW.

Website
0191 334 2932
castle.tours@durham.ac.uk
durham.castle.museum
@durham_uni

Fascinating fact...
The stone columns of the Norman Chapel are decorated with original carvings representing a variety of animals and strange creatures, including one of the oldest depictions of a mermaid in the country.

Elvet Methodist Church

"Christ The Good Shepherd" (1996), an original bronze statue made by a former member of the community, the late Mr Robert Raymond, was created to mark 225 years of Methodism in Durham City.

Elvet Methodist Church possesses a fine three manual pipe organ, built in 1934 by the Durham firm of Nelson and now maintained by the internationally famous Durham organ builders Harrison and Harrison Ltd.

As well as being used for regular worship, the church and ancillary rooms are the venue for other public events including concerts, musical performances, dance workshops and as a meeting space.

Fascinating fact...
There has been formal Methodism in the Elvet area of Durham City for almost 250 years, centred on the Meeting House in Rattan Row, the Wesleyan Chapel (which existed in the grounds of the present Marriott Royal County Hotel) and the present Methodist Church.

Opening Times
Refer to website or helpline. Tuesday 10am-12 noon, Wednesday 10am-12 noon, Thursday 10am-12 noon. Open on request, contact the caretaker on caretaker@elvet-church.org.uk 0191 384 7599
The church has a garden and its own AED defibrillator.
Free entry.

Elvet Methodist Church, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HL.

Website
0191 384 7599
info@elvet-church.org.uk
ElvetMethodists
@ElvetMC

Our Lady of Mercy and St. Godric Church

This church was founded in 1864 to accommodate the large number of Irish labourers who came to help build the railway and contributed to the growing Catholic population of the city.

St. Godric (c1065-1170) was a Norfolk-born merchant, ship’s captain and possibly a pirate, before conversion to religious life, retreating to Finchale to live the remainder of his life as a monk and hermit. He reputedly lived to 105.

The architect was Edward (Teddy) Welby Pugin (1834-75), a member of one of the most influential families of 19th century architectural history. His career benefitted from a major growth in the building of Roman Catholic churches across the country. He produced dignified places of worship even when working to a limited budget. The church was badly damaged by fire in 1985, but re-opened after two years of careful restoration in 1987.

Opening Times
Refer to website or helpline. Service and worship times: Sunday 9am-10.45am and 3pm-4pm, Weekdays 10am-10.30am and 2pm-3pm. Open on request, subject to availability.
Free entry.

Our Lady of Mercy and St. Godric Church, Castle Chare, Durham DH1 4RA.

Website
0191 384 3810
secretary.stjandstg@btconnect.com
@ParishDMartyrs

Fascinating fact...
The martyr, St. John Boste, executed at nearby Dryburn is depicted in pitman sculptor Michael Doyle’s carved wooden statue as having six digits on his right hand. Known as the ‘Penny Church’, because it was funded by subscriptions from local working class families and Irish workers building the viaduct in 1857.

St. Cuthbert’s Catholic Church

The church was opened in 1827, two years before the passing of the Roman Catholic Relief Act which saw the culmination of Roman Catholic emancipation.

The church was designed by English architect Ignatius Bonomi (1787-1870) whose other local design projects included completion of the Durham Assize Courts, which stand opposite the church and a railway bridge for the newly opened Stockton and Darlington Railway.

In 1931 a stained glass window designed by Irish born Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was installed. Displaying all the traditional craftsmanship of the Arts and Crafts Movement, the window illustrates St. William of York (d.1154), St. Cuthbert (d.687AD), St. Bede (d.735AD) and Blessed Thomas Percy (d.1572).

Opening Times
Refer to website or helpline. Sunday 8.30am-12.30pm and 6pm-7.45pm, Friday 10am-3pm, Saturday 10am-12 noon. Open for a short time before and after mass at 10am and 6.30pm on Sundays. Open on request, subject to availability during parish office hours.
Free entry.

St. Cuthbert’s Catholic Church, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HL.

Website
0191 384 3442
office@stcuthberts-durham.org.uk

Fascinating fact...
Technically Durham Cathedral is within the boundaries of the Parish, which makes St. Cuthbert’s Roman Catholic church unusual among Catholic churches in having its patron saint enshrined within the Parish.

St. Cuthbert’s North Road

The church was completed in 1863 and the architect was Durham-born Edward Robert Robson (1836-1917). This was his first church design and shows interesting French influence, built of pale sandstone with grey slates, laid in a diaper pattern over the huge south facing roof.

The church interior has a stunningly spacious nave. Ten magnificent stained-glass windows commemorating the patron saints of other city churches decorate the semi-circular apse and were donated in memory of William Lloyd Wharton (1789-1867), creator of neighbouring Wharton Park.

In 1831, North Road was extended to join Framwellgate Peth, allowing quicker access to the north from the city centre.

Fascinating fact...
A beautiful Grade 1 listed Lych Gate provides an impressive entrance. From the German word “leiche” meaning corpse, in past years these gates were traditionally where a coffin would be rested before moving into the church. This one was unveiled in 1921 as a First World War Memorial then re-consecrated in 1988 to commemorate the Second World War. War graves are located in the burial ground. The present day church stands on the site of the medieval Chapel of St. Lawrence.

Opening Times
Refer to website or helpline for more information. Open to visitors Wednesday 10am-3pm and for services.
Open on request and subject to availability, call 0191 384 7825.
Free entry.

St. Cuthbert’s North Road, Durham DH1 4NH.

Website
0191 384 7825
durhamnorthteam@gmail.com
stcuthbertsdurham

St. Giles Church

St. Giles was founded in 1112 by the Bishop of Durham, Ranulf Flambard (c1060-1128). It was constructed as a chapel for nearby Kepier Hospital, an almshouse which the same Bishop had also established.

St. Godric (c1065-1170), a retired sailor and merchant, was the doorkeeper of St. Giles church in the 12th century before he settled at Finchale in the valley of the River Wear three miles from Durham, where he lived as a hermit for the rest of his long life.

In 1545 the estate at Kepier Hospital was sold during the period known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries and came into the ownership of the Heath family. In the chancel of the church stands the effigy of John Heath of Kepier (d.1591) which shows him dressed in armour. Fewer than 100 of these wooden effigies survive in England today.

Opening Times
Refer to website or helpline. Tuesday to Friday mornings (university term-time only) 10am Wednesday - Communion Service, 10am Sunday - Communion Service. Open on request subject to availability, call 0191 374 1079.
Free entry.

St. Giles Church, Church Lane, Gilesgate, Durham DH1 1QQ.

Website
0191 374 1079
stgileschurchdurham@live.co.uk
StGilesDurham
@stgilesdurham

Fascinating fact...
In 1143, St. Giles was almost burnt down following a dispute between the Pope and King David I of Scotland (1084-1153) over who would be the next Bishop of Durham.

St. John’s Church

Built by St. Margaret’s Church in the 1890s, St. John’s initial role was as a 'Mission Church'. It originally stood surrounded by open green fields. It was built with growth in mind and was designed so that additional capacity could be added as the congregation increased. Bricked-up arches were knocked through fifteen years later and one hundred years later to create space when the need arose.

Features include carved pews and screen by Yorkshire-based Robert ‘Mousey’ Thompson (1876-1955) and a colourful 21st century glass font by local artist Janet Rogers.

The church is known locally for its multi-age congregation and is beautifully sunlit through clear glass windows.

Fascinating fact...
Since 2007, the church has hosted an annual Eco Festival featuring a free ‘green’ community event with live music each June.

Opening Times
Refer to website or helpline. Open for services and events.
Open on request and subject to availability.
Free entry.

St. John’s Church,
Crossgate Peth,
Neville’s Cross,
Durham DH1 4DU.

Website
0191 384 2433
parish.smxg.sjnx@gmail.com

St. Margaret of Antioch

St. Margaret’s is a Grade 1 listed building of ‘exceptional interest’. Take a trip through architectural history via its 12th century nave and chancel, 14th century aisle, 15th century tower, 18th century memorials and 19th century stained glass.

Features range from an original 12th century Frosterley Marble font to a late 20th century sculpture on the theme of universal motherhood: the “Madonna and Child” by local artist Brian Scraton.

The church has been home to a lively range of worship over recent years, from charismatic to Catholic, with active links to local schools, colleges and charities.

Fascinating fact...
Sir John Duck (c1632-1691), known as Durham’s ‘Dick Whittington’, is buried here. According to local legend John Duck’s bleak future took a turn for the better when a raven dropped a gold coin at his feet as he walked by the River Wear. The former butcher’s apprentice progressed to become a coal entrepreneur, Mayor of Durham (in 1690) and was eventually knighted by King Charles II.

Opening Times
Refer to website or helpline.
When possible, open on weekday mornings; please see website for more info: www.stmargaretsdurham.org.uk
Open on request and subject to availability. Call 0191 384 2433.
Free entry.

St. Margaret of Antioch, Crossgate, Durham DH1 4PR.

Website
0191 384 2433
parish.smxg.sjnx@gmail.com
@stmadurham

St. Mary The Less Church

Now the chapel of St. John’s College, the church of St. Mary The Less was founded in the 12th century as a garrison chapel for soldiers stationed on the nearby city walls.

Its name is believed to have been chosen to distinguish it from Durham Cathedral, which is dedicated to Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St. Cuthbert of Durham.

Features include a rare 13th century sculpture depicting Jesus Christ and a memorial to the ‘Little Count’ Joseph Boruwlaski (1739-1837), a Polish-born dwarf who entertained European courts and lived in a house close to the church.

Fascinating fact...
His Royal Highness, Charles Prince of Wales is directly connected to the church through his seven times great grandmother, Dame Elizabeth Bowes (1651-1736). She and two of her daughters, Jane and Elizabeth, are buried in a vault in the chapel.

Opening Times
Refer to websites or helpline. Daily during University term time between morning and evening prayer (approximately 9am-5pm) and weekends outside of services. Free entry.

St. Mary The Less Church, South Bailey, Durham DH1 3RJ.

Website
0191 334 4436
johns.reception@durham.ac.uk

St. Nicholas Church

The 'church in the Market Place' was built in 1858 and restored in 1981. It occupies the site of an earlier church dating back 900 years which stood adjacent to the now-demolished Clayport and Walkergate entrances of the medieval city.

In the 1970s the vicar was the Reverend George Carey, who later became Archbishop of Canterbury (1991-2002). His vision was to have the church open every day of the week.

The oldest object in the church is probably the communion table in the chapel. This was made out of wood from the belfry of the medieval church.

Opening Times
Refer to website or helpline. Open on request and subject to availability.
Free entry.

St. Nicholas Church, Market Place, Durham DH1 3NJ.

Website
0191 384 1180
office@stnics.org.uk
stnicsdurham
@stnicsdurham

Fascinating fact...
The old font, just inside the door, was lost for many years. It turned up in the London garden of a Member of Parliament. No one knows how it got there. It returned home in 1904.

St. Oswald’s Church

St. Oswald’s is probably the oldest of Durham City’s parish churches, dating from 12th century and expanded in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Notable internal features include: 15th century choir stalls, medieval roof brackets, sculpted medieval stone grave covers and stained glass ranging from medieval fragments to the 1970s.

Renowned for its active music ministry, it has had many distinguished organists. The famous composer of hymn tunes, John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876) was vicar in the 19th century. His work included the tunes Hollingside (“Jesu lover of my Soul”) and Melita (“Eternal Father, strong to save”).

Fascinating fact...
In 1984, an arsonist lit a fire under the organ at St. Oswald’s, destroying the organ and damaging the chancel. This event occurred on Ash Wednesday.

Opening Times
Refer to websites or helpline. Monday to Friday during daylight hours. Open on request and subject to availability. Free entry.
St. Oswald’s Church, Church Street, Durham DH1 3DQ.

Website
0191 383 0830
office@oswalds.org.uk

The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St. Cuthbert of Durham

Founded in 1093, the nave was built in just 40 years. The UNESCO cathedral’s stone vault was a Norman engineering feat made possible by the use of the first structural pointed arch.

The church houses the shrines of two iconic northern saints: St. Cuthbert (634-687AD) and the Venerable Bede (672-735AD). St. Cuthbert’s Anglo-Saxon relics are beautifully displayed in Open Treasure, the cathedral’s multi award-winning museum experience.

Filming location for blockbuster films including two Harry Potter films (in 2001 and 2002) and Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame (2019).

Fascinating fact...
On the north facing exterior wall of the cathedral, a stone carving of a cow and a milkmaid is a reference to the legendary story of how Durham City was founded. Discover more at www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/visit-us

Opening Times
Refer to website or helpline. No admission charge, but suggested donation of £3 per person. Charges apply to Open Treasure, guided tours and tower trips. Durham Cathedral, The College, Durham DH1 3EH.

Website
0191 338 7178
enquiries@durhamcathedral.co.uk
durhamcathedral
@durhamcathedral
@durhamcathedral

Waddington Street United Reformed Church

Built in 1872 as a Presbyterian Church by a group of expatriate Scots, this is a compact Victorian structure, externally unchanged and located in an urban conservation area.

The pipe organ was built in 1895 by the Durham organ builders Harrison and Harrison Ltd, a thriving company with an international reputation, which is still based in the county today. The organ continues in regular use and is regarded as a classic example of Harrison and Harrison’s work from the end of the 19th century.

The ‘Waddington Street Fallen’ booklet commemorates those from the church community who were killed in the two World Wars. It can be downloaded from the website and family history researchers may find it a useful resource.

Opening Times
Sundays 10.45am for worship. Otherwise as advertised on the website. Open on request, subject to availability, email waddingtonsturc@gmail.com Free entry.

Waddington Street United Reformed Church, Waddington Street, Durham DH1 4BG.

Website
waddingtonsturc@gmail.com

Fascinating fact...
Acts of Parliament in 1662 aimed to restrict the holders of public offices in England to members of the Church of England. This resulted in the persecution of Presbyterians around the country, forcing some to meet in secret by night or early morning. One such group in Durham, predecessors of the present day community, resorted to meeting secretly in a shoemaker’s house in Claypath

St. Mary-le-Bow

Relive the story of Durham from medieval times to the 20th century in this former parish church and excellent local history museum. Enjoy models of the medieval city and the 19th century Market Place and explore the reconstruction of a Victorian prison cell. In the adjacent garden is a statue of ‘Cuthbert of Farne’ by renowned local artist Dr Fenwick Lawson.

Opening Times
April & May: Weekends and Bank Holidays 11am-4.30pm.
June, July, August and September: Daily 11am-4.30pm.
October: Weekends 11am-4.30pm.
Admission: Adults £2.50, concessions £2, children £1.

Durham Museum and Heritage Centre, 40 North Bailey, Durham DH1 3ET.

Website
0191 384 5589
Durham Museum
@DurhamHeritage

North Road Methodist Church

This Grade 2 listed Bethel Chapel, which is now a Methodist Church, dates back to 1853.

Opening Times
This church does not have regular opening times for the public outside of the weekly services. The details of its services and group events can be found on its website www.northroadmethodistchurch.org.uk/Events Access is limited due to the church being used on a daily basis by outside organisations. Groups wishing to arrange private viewings can apply via email to northroadwebsite@gmail.com

North Road Methodist Church, North Road, Durham DH1 4SG.

Website
0191 384 5589
@NorthRoadMethodistChurch

Hatfield College Chapel

The college has a chapel (built in 1851) which is open daily to students for quiet reflection and prayer. The chapel is bookable for use by university faith groups. Students who play the organ may also book to practise on the Harrison & Harrison organ in the chapel.

Opening Times
The chapel is not open to the public, but Choral Evensong is held on Mondays at 6.30pm during the University term to which the public are welcome. The public are also welcome to organ recitals which are held from time to time.

0191 334 2633.

Hatfield College Chapel, North Bailey, Durham DH1 3RQ.

Durham School Chapel

War Memorial Chapel built in 1926.

Opening Times
Only open to the public during the annual Heritage Open Days in September, certain concerts and publicised events.

Durham School Chapel, Durham DH1 4SZ.

events@durhamschool.co.uk