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Historic England Research Records

Church Of St John The Evangelist

Hob Uid: 24189
Location :
County Durham
Spennymoor
Grid Ref : NZ2622731464
Summary : Norman church, rebuilt 1850-1, incorporating part of the original north wall. Plan comprises nave, central tower, north transept and chancel. Built of sandstone rubble with slate roofs. In 1143, the church was used as a fortress by a usurping Bishop, William Comyn, who had a defensive ditch dug around it. During the Second World War the tower was used as an observation post against enemy bombers.
More information : [NZ 26223146] St. John's Church [TU] (1)

The Church of St. John, Merrington, has a tower springing from the centre of the nave on two Norman arches. In 1143-4 the church was defended by William Cumyn and a ditch was dug round it. No trace of the ditch remains. (2)

The Norman chancel at Merrington Church was probably destroyed when William Cumin defended the church. The present chancel is of more recent date than the tower. See AO/59/72/3. (3)

The Church at Kirk Merrington was entirely taken down in 1850 and a new church erected. (4)

No indication of the 12th century earthwork is now visible. Norman arches still remain built into the 19th century fabric of the
church. (5)

NZ 263315. "William Cumin built a vallum round the church in 1144". (a) (6)

Grade A. (7)

Parish church; 1850-1851 rebuilding by George Pickering of Norman church, incorporating part of original north wall. Sandstone rubble, most roughly coursed and squared, with ashlar plinth (except for chancel) and quoins and dressings. Roof graduated Lakeland slates with stone gable copings. Nave with central tower and north transept; 3-bay chancel. Norman style. Grade II*. (8)

In 1143, the church was used as a fortress by an usurping Bishop, William Comyn, who had a defensive ditch dug around it. During the Second World War the tower was used as an observation post against enemy bombers. Listed by Cathcart King. (9, 10)
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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 6" 1923
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Source details : Hist of Durham 3, 1823, 279-84 (R Surtees)
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Source Number : 10
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Source details : http://www.communigate.co.uk/ne/kirkmerrington
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Archit Ants of Durham 1846, 56 (Illus) (RW Billings)
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : Guide to Durham 1892 528 (JR Boyle)
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : F1 FDC 18-MAY-59
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Source Number : 6
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Page(s) : 242
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Source Number : 6a
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Source details : Symeon of Durham 2 316
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : DOE (HHR) Spennymoor UD Jan 1950 1
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Source Number : 8
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Source details : District of Sedgefield, 14-Jun-1988
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Source Number : 9
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Page(s) : 139
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Monument Types:
Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Norman
Monument End Date : 1170
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Church
Evidence : Extant Building
Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Fortified 1143
Monument End Date : 1143
Monument Start Date : 1143
Monument Type : Fortified Church, Ditch
Evidence : Documentary Evidence
Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Rebuilt 1850-1
Monument End Date : 1851
Monument Start Date : 1850
Monument Type : Parish Church
Evidence : Extant Building
Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : WWII
Monument End Date : 1945
Monument Start Date : 1939
Monument Type : Observation Post
Evidence : Documentary Evidence
Components and Objects:
Related Records from other datasets:
External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 112247
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : Unified Designation System UID
External Cross Reference Number : 24189
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : NZ 23 SE 5
External Cross Reference Notes :
Related Warden Records :
Related Activities :
Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1959-05-18
End Date : 1959-05-18