St Mary Magdalene, Trimdon Village
Mary Magdalene is the Patron Saint of repentant sinners and came from the town of Magdala on the western coast of the Sea of Galilee.
Jesus cured her of her mental illness and accepted her on equal terms with everyone else. He entrusted her to be the first to tell the news of his resurrection, even though, in those days, the word of a woman was not trusted.
St Mary Magdalene Church in the Parish of Upper Skerne
The church building dates from around 1145. A record from the 19th century describes the church as “a ruinous, neglected-looking edifice………..exceeding damp, and the only indications of recent attention to the edifice are a coat of yellow ochre in the interior and an external white washing.”
Things have moved on a bit since then! In 1884 the North Aisle, the Vestry and a new stone font were added. 20th century improvements included gravestones from the churchyard being removed and repositioned next to the path leading to the east end of the church; choir pews removed to allow flexibility of use of the Chancel area; a new organ installed and the floor carpeted; a sound system installed; diseased trees replaced with now maturing trees.
The beginning of the 21st century has seen a new stained glass window installed dedicated to the memory of Councillor George (Mick) Terrans and a worn out rose bed replaced with gravel and flower tubs.
Since 2006, access to the building has been greatly improved, complete with a beautiful inner porch door. A moveable wooden font has replaced the old one and there is now a smart refreshment area. We have finally managed to install a toilet in this wonderful old building and at the same time, the vestry has been extended and modernised.
For a more detailed history of our church, we can recommend Adam Lukes book, entitled
“Doves, Pigeons and Masonry Bees”.
Parish of Upper Skerne
St Mary Magdalene’s is now part of the larger Parish of Upper Skerne. This also includes the former parishes of Trimdon Grange, St Alban’s; Trimdon Colliery (St Paul’s is now closed); Fishburn, St Catherine’s; Bishop Middleham, St Michael’s; and Sedgefield, St Edmund’s. Each church remains autonomous within the Parish, which is served by a Team Ministry, with Revd Michael Gobbett as Rector of the parish. Others in the team include Revd Philip Tait, Team Vicar, Temporary Curate, Revd Alison Richardson, Lay Readers and Lay Leaders. Other ordained priests serve in the Parish from time to time. We have a combined Parish Magazine and information about services and events in the Parish can be found either in the Parish Magazine or on Notice Boards outside the churches.
TRIMDON, St. Mary Magdalene (1874)
groundplan created by HAY (WILLIAM HARDIE & JOHN
Parish of TRIMDON, Durham diocese
ICBS 07467
Grant Reason: Enlargement Outcome: Approved
Professionals
HAY, John: fl. 1850-72 of Liverpool
HAY, William Hardie: b. c.1813 – d. 1901 of Liverpool
Firms
HAY (WILLIAM HARDIE & JOHN) (Architects)
Notes:For new north aisle and vestry, new windows, rebuilt porch, reseating and repairs
Website source for this map and information;
http://www.churchplansonline.org/show_full_image.asp?resource_id=07467.tif
Vault beneath the Church
You may also be interested in this article in the Trimdon Times history section:
–