St. Cuthbert, Durham

Introduction

The church was consecrated on 20 July 1910. The stained glass on the door from the church through to the sacristy includes the Widdrington and Pearson families, and 1685 is the date when the parish was founded.

Architecture and furnishings

The tower was added to the church in 1869. The large stained glass window of English saints by Harry Clarke was installed in 1931 as a memorial to Canon William Brown, curate and parish priest 1874-1924.

The bell in the narthex is dated 1888, but was only acquired in the 1990s. In the windows of the doors of the sacristy are two panels from the former parish school, installed in 1999 in memory of Miss K. M. Scollen. The window in the confessional is based on a design by Benedict Holmes, realised in his memory in 1999 by Fenwick Lawson. On the balustrades of the tribunes on either side of the high altar are the arms of a selection of old Catholic families, mostly from County Durham, Northumberland and the North Riding of Yorkshire.

The armorials include the Selby, Forcer, Radcliffe, Riddell, Widdrington, Tunstall, Pudsey, Delavell, Salvin, Meynell, Mostyn and Witham families. The painting of the annunciation on the altar in the Lady Chapel includes a scroll with the 'Rorate Coeli' chant. The font has eight panels showing the four evangelists and four angels holding symbols of the crucifixion. The stained glass in the Lady Chapel has the wording 'An offering to our Blessed Lady from the least of her children'.

The sanctuary lamp has angels and hangs from the ceiling to indicate the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle. The triptych of St Cuthbert, St Aidan and St Bede hangs from the balustrade of the choir loft and has the text 'Ven Bede, P.F.U' (Pray for us). The image of the pelican is painted high on the wall to the left of the altar, and the door of the tabernacle also has the pelican image. Images of the Lamb of God appear on the front of the altar, painted high on the wall to the right of the altar, and on the altar in the Lady Chapel.

Music and liturgy

The Wednesday evening Mass during University Term is usually sung with simple chants. On Tuesday mornings during term, the Catholic Society celebrates Lauds (Morning Prayer) at the church. The last service before lockdown was Vespers for the Feast of Saint Cuthbert on Friday 20 March.

Parish life

The parish's Justice and Peace Group raises awareness of justice and peace issues and coordinates fundraising and action. The parish's Reading Group meets monthly or every two months in a parishioner's house to discuss a book.

The parish is a member of Durham Churches Together and Churches Together in Elvet and Shincliffe. The parish is situated within the Finchale Partnership in the Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.

The Children's Liturgy group's contact is Mandy Hampshire. The Liturgical Ministry group's contact is Andy Doyle. The parish's Churches Together in Elvet and Shincliffe contact is Andy Doyle.

The parish has a Parish Pastoral Plan and open Assembly meetings. During lockdown, the parish held a weekly Virtual Coffee Morning on Zoom.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish's Baptismal Catechist meets with parents a couple of times to discuss baptism and choose scripture readings. A week or two before a baptism, the family is invited to come forward at the end of a Sunday Mass to be welcomed by the parish community.

The parish asks couples to give at least six months' notice before a wedding. Marriage preparation courses are arranged at St Cuthbert's from time to time, usually on a Saturday, led by married couples.

The parish prefers families to contact the church directly when arranging a funeral, even if a Funeral Director offers to get in touch on their behalf. At funerals, a friend or family member may speak briefly in memory of the deceased before the final commendation.

The Parish Pastoral Council assists and advises the Parish Priest in the pastoral activity of the Parish. The Parish Assembly meets at least twice a year, hears reports from the Parish Pastoral Council, the Parish Finance Council and parish groups, and elects three members to the PPC. During the first lockdown, the parish set up a Facebook group so that people could chat and share their experiences.

Visiting

Visitors are warmly welcomed to St Cuthbert's to pray, spend time in silence, or enjoy the historic surroundings. Church stewards volunteer to welcome visitors during regular opening hours.

During the winter the church is open for services only, and visits outside these times require contacting the parish office. More details of the history of the Catholic community in Elvet and St Cuthbert’s church can be found in J.M. Tweedy, Popish Elvet (1981), parts 1 and 2, on sale at the church.