St Cuthbert’s Church in Darlington is set to embark on a major transformative project as part of its vision to revitalise the historic building into an open, accessible and dynamic community hub of worship, culture and mission.
In 2022, the Grade I listed church received a £2 million grant from the Church of England’s Strategic Development Fund. The grant has already enabled the employment of a team to develop new ministries, including a pioneer priest, community music director, and children and families worker.
Now the grant is helping support the Opening Doors project, which will create a more flexible open space through the removal of pews. The font will be repositioned to make it more prominent, and new facilities will include toilets, a café and underfloor heating.
The renovations will ensure the church can better connect with the people of Darlington while preserving its heritage by leaving the historic Sanctuary and Chancel end of the building largely untouched.
Over the past year various fundraising initiatives have raised a further £350,000 through fundraising events and generous donations. It is hoped that a further £150,000 can be raised through initiatives such as the Pave the Nave campaign, inviting the public to sponsor one of the 1,000 new flagstones that will replace the old flooring in the Nave.
Work is due to start in January and is expected to take around a year to complete, during which time the church building will be closed. Services will continue in the adjacent church hall.
Once reopened, St Cuthbert’s aims to offer hospitality, spirituality and heritage to the people of Darlington through a daily café and opportunities for people of all ages to explore and grow in faith through music, storytelling and ministries of compassion.
There are also exciting plans for the church to become a musical centre of excellence and a community venue of choice.
Priest in Charge, the Revd James Harvey, said:
"We want St Cuthbert's to become a dynamic hub for worship yes, but also for music and culture and mission. This will bring it all together, so we can serve the people in the right way."
Kerry Jonas, church marketing advisor and one of those helping to fundraise, added:
“It’s an extraordinary interior, which I think will benefit from the changes. I really do believe it will be more beautiful, and it will be wonderful for it to be opened up so more people can come in and appreciate all its qualities.”
Once revitalised, St Cuthbert’s will put mission at the heart of Darlington’s church life and ensure we as the Church are telling the story of Jesus for years to come.
You can help St Cuthbert’s transform by Paving the Nave at stcuthbertsdarlington.org.uk/opening-doors/pave-the-nave
Listen to an interview with the Revd James Havey on Radio Tees at www.facebook.com/StCuthbertsChurchDarlington