All Saints Stranton marks end of 900th anniversary celebrations

All Saints Stranton marked the end of its 900th anniversary year with a special service on 1 November 2026, attended by the Bishop of Durham, Rick Simpson, and Cllr Sue Little, Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool.

The service brought a year of celebrations and community events to a close, marking exactly one year since the church bells rang out on 1 November 2025 to launch the 900th anniversary celebrations.

The celebrations included a sponsored abseil from the church tower, an organ recital by renowned organist Daniel Cook, Master of the Choristers and Organists at Durham Cathedral, and two exhibitions celebrating the church’s history and its place in local life.

The Past Memories exhibition brought together family baptism photographs, images from a 1980s Victorian Street Party, memories of the Boys’ Brigade, choir and Sunday School, and records charting the history of the church.

Weddings Through the Years featured photographs, stories and wedding dresses shared by couples from across the community, highlighting the church’s longstanding role in local life.

Bishop Rick said: “It was a huge privilege to be at All Saints Stranton – on All Saints Day – celebrating the 900th Anniversary of the church in this place.

“During the sermon I talked about the importance of the church as a body supporting the Christian life and witness of Christian people in the past, present and future. All Saints Stranton has been doing just that for nine centuries, which is awe-inspiring.

“The role of the local church in encouraging and supporting Christians as missionary disciples of Christ, enabling them to live and share their faith, remains vital today.”

Pictured above from left: The Revd John Bell; Bishop of Durham, Rick Simpson; Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool Cllr Sue Little; and the Mayor’s Consort

Pictured above: members of Stranton congregation and clergy team, St Luke’s and Revd Nick Moore pray for Bishop Rick’s leadership and ministry here in Durham