Darlington Congregational Church
Reference: C/Da Catalogue Title: Darlington Congregational Church Area: Catalogue Category: Non-Conformist Church Records Description:
Covering Dates: 1806-1974
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- Darlington Congregational Church
- Minutes and reports (Ref: C/Da 1-15,28-29,46-50,54-58,64)
- Sunday School (Ref: C/Da 16-20,40-41,96)
- Membership (Ref: C/Da 21-27,59-61)
- Financial records (Ref: C/Da 30-39,42,45,62,87-90)
- Site and Fabric (Ref: C/Da 43-44,68-86)
- Choir (Ref: C/Da 51-53,91,109)
- Registration (Ref: C/Da 63,110-113)
- Ministers and Church History (Ref: C/Da 65-67,92-107,114-115)
- Stapleton (Ref: C/Da 108)
Catalogue Description
Records of Union Street Congregational ChurchDarlington, St. George, Presbyterian and Union Street Congregational Churches
In the late seventeenth and eighteenth century nonconformists of the congregational and Presbyterian persuasion met together in rooms in Darlington. In 1806 the Congregationalists, who were a majority, seceded and met in rooms until 1812 when Bethel Chapel, Union Street, was opened. New premises built on the old site were opened in 1862 and remained in use until the congregation moved to Northgate United Reformed Church. Presbyterian meetings seem to have ceased until 1863 when services were held in the Mechanics Hall under the direction of Newcastle Presbytery and a separate preaching station was established in 1865. In 1869 St. George's Church, Northgate, opened and when the Congregational Church united with the Presbyterian Church in 1975 it became Northgate United Reformed Church.
Catalogue Contents
Minutes and reports (Ref: C/Da 1-15,28-29,46-50,54-58,64)Ref: C/Da 1
Deacons' Meetings minutes, 1866 - 1895
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 2Deacons' Meetings minutes, 1895 - 1919
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 3Deacons' Meetings minutes, 1920 - 1928
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 4Deacons' Meetings minutes, 1928 - 1938
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 5Deacons' Meetings minutes, 1938 - 1949
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 6Deacons' Meetings minutes, 1949 - 1956
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 7Church Meetings minutes, 1868 - 1905
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 8Church Meetings minutes, 1906 -1956, and Trustees' Meetings minutes, 1912 - 1913 and 1919
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 9Missionary Committee Meetings minutes, 1921 - 1932
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 10Finance Committee minutes, 1840 - 1850, and Building Committee minutes, 1861 - 1863
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 11Testimonial Committee minutes (for the Reverend H. Kendall), 1893
Includes newscuttings, 1893 - 1894
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 12-13Cycling Club Committee minutes, 1899 - 1908
(2 volumes)
Ref: C/Da 14Building Committee minutes, 1892 - 1897
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 15Young People's Council minutes, 1935 - 1939
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 28-29Church and Schools Annual Reports, 1887 - 1914, 1927, 1931
(2 bundles)
Ref: C/Da 46Minutes of Deacons' Meetings, June 1956 - January 1962
(1 file)
Ref: C/Da 47Minutes of Church Meetings, November 1956 - February 1962
(1 file)
Ref: C/Da 48Minute book of Committee organising the Scholars Fair and Industrial Exhibition, October 1876
(1 volume, card bound)
Ref: C/Da 49Minute Book of Committee organising Bazaar, November 1896 - May 1897
(1 volume, card bound)
Ref: C/Da 50Minute book of property fund committee July 1902 - June 1904
(1 volume, binding list)
Ref: C/Da 54Minutes of Selection Committee appointed following the resignation of Reverend Harold E. Berry, November 1933 - May 1934; Minutes of Selection Committee, April 1942 - February 1943; with list of ministers taking service, September 1942 - October 1943
(1 volume, card bound)
Ref: C/Da 55Standing Orders for Deacons' Meetings, 27 November 1922
(1 file)
Ref: C/Da 56Standing orders for the conduct of Church Meetings, 25 April 1923
(1 file)
Ref: C/Da 57Agenda for Deacons' Meetings, October 1948 - May 1950
(1 file)
Ref: C/Da 58(i) Quarterly report of Kendrew Street Sunday School, December 1867
(ii) Annual Report of Church and Schools, May 1932
(iii) Report of Planning group, November 1964
(1 volume, printed, paper bound; 1 file and 1 paper)
Ref: C/Da 64(i) Letter listing candidates for deacon and asking members to vote, 20 December 1809
(ii) Declaration of votes cast in election for deacon 20 January 1809
Sunday School (Ref: C/Da 16-20,40-41,96)Ref: C/Da 16-18Sunday School Teachers' Meetings minutes, 1874 - 1954
(3 volumes)
Ref: C/Da 19Sunday School attendance register, 1844 - 1845
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 20Sunday School Attendance Register, 1865-1869
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 40-41Sunday School accounts, 1875 - 1915
(2 volumes)
Ref: C/Da 96Scrapbook of programmes and notices relating to the Sunday School, 1862 - 1897, includes Rules, 1867, 1869 and appeal for school with list of subscribers, 1875
(1 volume, card bound)
Membership (Ref: C/Da 21-27,59-61)Ref: C/Da 21Church Roll, 1806 - 1918
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 22Church Roll, 1806 - 1863, and Church Meetings minutes, 1827 - 1867
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 23Church Roll, 1868 - 1880, and baptism register, 1868 - 1901
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 24Communion attendance registers, no addresses, 1879 - 1905
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 25Communion Attendance Register, no addresses, 1906-1924
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 26Communion Attendance Register, 1938-1945
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 27Communion Attendance Register, 1946-1953
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 59/1-8Year Books 1936, 1962 - 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 - 1968, 1969 - 1970, 1971 - 1972
(8 volumes, paper bound)
Ref: C/Da 60Communion Attendance Register, 1953 - 1957
(1 volume, card bound)
Ref: C/Da 61Communion Attendance Register, 1958 - 1962; with non residential list, 1940 - 1963
(1 volume, card bound)
Financial records (Ref: C/Da 30-39,42,45,62,87-90)Ref: C/Da 30-33Accounts, 1825 - 1946
(4 volumes)
Ref: C/Da 34-35Cash books, 1905 - 1911, 1927 - 1955
(2 volumes)
Ref: C/Da 36Seat Rent Book, pews 1-37 & 75-87, 1877-1886
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 37Seat Rent Book, pews 38-100, 1902-1921
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 38Seat Rent Book, pews 38-94, 1922-1928
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 39Seat Rent Book, pews 1-37, 1922-1954
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 42Offertory Book, 1881 - 1954
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 45Chapel-keeper's accounts for lease of premises to outside bodies, 1893 - 1908
(1 volume)
Ref: C/Da 62Seat Rent book, pews 38-100, 1887 - 1901
(1 volume, leather quarter-bound)
Ref: C/Da 87Statement of income and expenditure incurred in the erection of the Congregational Church opened 24 August 1862, with list of subscribers (4 copies)
(4 papers, printed)
Ref: C/Da 88(i) Balance Sheet of Congregational Sunday School Fair and Industrial Exhibition, 1876
(ii) Correspondence quoting costs for Bazaar in 1897, with catalogue of Prof. Charles Knox's Punch and Judy and advertising booklet for Dr. 'Tibbles' VL - Cocoa' and cards for Pears soap and Chivers strawberry jam
(4 files, 1 booklet, 8 papers, 5 cards)
Ref: C/Da 89(i) Guarantee of £150 owed by treasurer to Barclay and Company, 21 September 1896
(ii) Guarantee of £120 owed by treasurer to Barclay and Company, 2 July 1902
(2 papers)
Ref: C/Da 90Receipt book for donation, 1902 - 1905
(1 volume, paper bound)
Site and Fabric (Ref: C/Da 43-44,68-86)Ref: C/Da 43-44Plans of the church, 1861, and of the Sunday School, 1874
(2 volumes)
Ref: C/Da 681 Opinion for council on lease of April 1801 to plot of land to be sold to the trustee of the Bethel Chapel, 28 December 1829
2 n.d.
(1) Wm. Luke Prattman, James Jackson, Richard Gibbs, John Dodds, Robert Mears, William Wilson, Richard Oxley, George Lang, Joseph Crabtree, Adam Dryden, Robert Powell, James Reid and William MacAdam, plaintiffs
(2) John Fenwick, gent., deforciant
Fine of two messuages, 2 gardens, 1 acre in Darlington
Consideration: 100 marks of silver
3 Abstract of trust deed relating to Bethel Chapel, 26 February 1813
4 Conditions of sale of lots 7, 8, plots of building ground in Union Street, 24 February 1829
5 Memorandum of agreement between Trustees of Bethel Chapel and David Jordan, Darlington, joiner, that David Jordan's building may 'build upon and rest in the west wall' of the Chapel, 1 August 1841
6 Extract of deed of Grant of listing trustees, 12 February 1855
7 Letter from Ecclesiastical Commission enfranchising plot of land in manor of Bondgate, 20 January 1862
8 Correspondence about altering trust deed to allow women trustees, May - November 1919
9 Letter giving permission to Darlington Rediffusion Service to attach wire to Church House, Union Street, 10 April 1951
(3 parchments with one membrane each, 3 files and 8 papers)
Ref: C/Da 69Correspondence concerning purchase of site for chapel and payment of builders bills, 1859 - 1863, with letter from Wm. Forster returning correspondence to the Church, 13 June 1887
(19 papers)
Ref: C/Da 70Report on design for new chapel by Chas. E. Condor, Examiner 10 October 1861
(1 paper)
Ref: C/Da 71Report by G. Kyle and Wm. Peachey stating that height of tower and spire less than contracted for, with letters between Thos. Robson, builder, and H.P. Pritchett, architect, about rectifying the problem, 6 October 1862 and September 1862
Ref: C/Da 72Insurance policies, 1891, 1907, 1919, with correspondence about insurance during military occupation of church hall, 1940 - 1941
(2 files, 3 papers)
Ref: C/Da 73Papers relating to maintenance of boiler with report on heating, 1906 - 1941
(2 files)
Ref: C/Da 74Correspondence with specification and estimate for organ (2 copies) by James T. Binns, Leeds, with correspondence relating to organ blowing equipment installed by Watkin and Watson, London, and catalogues, 1921 - 1922
(4 files, 1 volume, paper bound)
Ref: C/Da 75File of sundry papers comprising of organ case, ground belonging to trustees of Bethel Chapel proposed to be enfranchised, correspondence about rent of Stapleton Mission, 1889, solicitors bills, 1851,1859, specification for wiring of electrical lights, 1919 and notice of intention of war department to vacate church hall, 5 May 1917
(1 file, 3 tracing and 9 papers)
Ref: C/Da 76Plan of frontage, Union Street, Pritchett & Son, architects, November 1961
(1 plan, 18.5 cm. x 30.5 cm., paper)
Ref: C/Da 77Plan of copyhold land recently purchases by the Trustees for school purposed from Mr. Jordan, with letter agreeing to enfranchisement to copyholder, 22 July 1875
(1 plan, 25 cm. by 33 cm., paper)
Ref: C/Da 78Plan of back elevation of church, J.P. Pritched & Son, architect, 5 July 1906
(1 plan, 22 cm. x 22.5 cm.)
Ref: C/Da 79Plan of proposed hot water heating by Richardson & Co., with specification and estimate, 28 July 1906
Scale: 1/4 inch to 1 foot [1:48]
(2 plans, 67 cm. x 46 cm. and 1 file)
Ref: C/Da 80Amended sketch of proposed organ case and console, 22 August 1906
(1 plan, 47 cm. x 56.5 cm.)
Ref: C/Da 81Plan of proposed electric light installation, 1919
(1 plan, 65.5 cm. x 41 cm.)
Ref: C/Da 82Plan of alterations to the vestry, H.E. Jarvis, architect, July 1938
Scale: 4 feet to 1 inch [1:48]
(1 plan, 63 cm. x 41 cm.)
Ref: C/Da 83Sheets 3-7 showing diagrams of wiring ?
(7 papers, 21.5 cm. x 32.5 cm.)
Ref: C/Da 84Proposed diversion of drain at Messrs. Wilson of Northgate,. J. Clayton & Deas, architects and surveyors, 1950 - 1951; with letter about diversion from J. Clayton and Deas to Mr. Wm. G. Filby
(1 plan, 37 cm. by 37.5 cm., 1 paper)
Ref: C/Da 85Plan of cottage in front of Bethel Chapel, n.d.
(1 plan, 21.5 cm. x 13 cm.)
Ref: C/Da 86Section of church showing floor line of gallery, n.d.
(1 plan, 35.5 cm. x 52 cm.)
Choir (Ref: C/Da 51-53,91,109)Ref: C/Da 51Congregational Choir minute book, with secretary's report for 1938 and list of choir and attendances, October 1921 - October 1941
(1 volume, card bound)
Ref: C/Da 52Congregational Choir minute book, October 1941 - February 1952
(1 volume, card bound)
Ref: C/Da 53Congregational Choir minute book, indexed, February 1952 - March 1962
(1 volume, card bound)
Ref: C/Da 91Subscriptions to Congregational Choir Holiday Fund, 1926 - 1938; with fund accounts, 1945 - 1946, indexed
(1 volume, card bound)
Ref: C/Da 109Church choir attendance book, 1937 - 1957
(1 volume, card bound)
Registration (Ref: C/Da 63,110-113)Ref: C/Da 63Box file of registration certificates General Register Office about appointment of people authorised to register marriage 1935 - 1960, one 1860 death registration receipt and one 1935 marriage notice, and Marriage and Baptismal certificate counterfoils:
1) Baptismal certificate counterfoils, September 1947 - October 1949
2) Baptismal certificate counterfoils, October 1949 - November 1952
3) Baptismal certificate counterfoils, February 1953 - March 1955
4) Baptismal certificate counterfoils, April 1955 - November 1957
5) Baptismal certificate counterfoils, November 1963 - June 1966
6) Baptismal certificate counterfoils, March 1966 - July 1969
7) Marriage certificate counterfoils, January 1942 - March 1945
8) Marriage certificate counterfoils, March 1945 - January 1946
9) Marriage certificate counterfoils, April 1946 - November 1947
10) Marriage certificate counterfoils, May 1943 - March 1950
11) Marriage certificate counterfoils, August 1950 - October 1951
12) Marriage certificate counterfoils, October 1951 - August 1954
13) Marriage certificate counterfoils, October 1954 - October 1957
14) Marriage certificate counterfoils, November 1957 - November 1960
(1 box-file containing 14 booklets and numerous papers)
Ref: C/Da 110Register of marriages, 19 April 1930 - 4 April 1933
(1 volume, cloth bound)
Ref: C/Da 111Register of marriages, 29 April 1933 - 6 September 1958
(1 volume, cloth bound)
Ref: C/Da 112Register of marriages, 25 October 1958 - 11 May 1963
(1 volume, cloth bound)
Ref: C/Da 113Register of marriages, 29 September 1973 - 15 June 1974
(1 volume, cloth bound)
Ministers and Church History (Ref: C/Da 65-67,92-107,114-115)Ref: C/Da 65Letter from a number of parishioneers (signatures attached) to the ministers and officers resigning from membership to support church at north end of town, 29 May 1869
(1 paper)
Ref: C/Da 66Letter from a number of parishioners (signatures attached) to the officers of the church asking for a meeting to consider the pastorate, n.d.
(4 papers)
Ref: C/Da 67Canvas of members of church, 1960
(1 file)
Ref: C/Da 92Notes on the history of Congregationalism Ministers and Church Members in Darlington by H. Kendall (Minister, 1859 - 1893)
For enclosure see C/Da 93
(1 volume, card bound)
Ref: C/Da 93Notes, some duplicate of C/Da 92, on church history, with the Rev. H. Kendall's farewell sermon and newspaper cutting on the Rev. H.. Kendall and his farewell presentation, 1893
(1 volume, card bound)
Ref: C/Da 94Notes for lecture on The story of our Church by J.C. Ellerington, 1936, with appointments for Stapleton Congregational Mission, 1890 - 1891
(22 papers)
Ref: C/Da 95Newspaper cuttings on opening of church in Union Street, with print from the Illustrated London News and Congregational Churches' 100th birthday in Darlington and notable ministers by R. Scarr
(12 papers)
Ref: C/Da 97Notes on the Reverend John Thornton of Billericay, 1843
(1 file)
Ref: C/Da 98Preachers plan for South West Durham Congregational Evangelistic Union, 1865, 1866, 1870, 1871, 1873-4, 1874
(8 papers, printed)
Ref: C/Da 99Lists of hymns used for morning and evening services on first occasion of using new hymnbook, 9 June 1889
(1 paper)
Ref: C/Da 100Farewell sermon of Henry Kendall, 16 July 1893
(1 volume, binding lost)
Ref: C/Da 101Posters, mainly advertising Henry Kendall's sermons but also advertising the Sunday School Fair and Industrial Exhibition, 1876, Sunday School Anniversary, 1892 and meeting at Stapleton Mission, 1893
(1 booklet, 35 papers)
Ref: C/Da 102Programmes for church events including Centenary Souvenir Bazaar, 1906, with history of church and hymn sheet for centenary service, triple jubilee, 1956, 1894 - 1971
Ref: C/Da 103Miscellaneous correspondence, mainly relating to calling of Ministers, 1841 - 1956, includes letter appealing for subscription for purchasing cottages adjoining church, 1902 and circular on caretakers duties, 1903
(2 files)
Ref: C/Da 104Three sermons by Reverend C. Nuttall on worship and communion, November, December 1963
(1 file)
Ref: C/Da 105Photographs of Tableau of 'The Muses' at an entertainment by the choir in 1886, Lady Aelpers and friends at Centenary Bazaar 1906, Church in early 1970's with plate for engraving of Church and print of church
(7 photographs, 1 plate, 1 paper)
Ref: C/Da 106Catalogue of books belonging to Bethel Church Reading Society, n.d.
Ref: C/Da 107Minute Book of Darlington Philosophical Society, September 1870 - October 1872
Endorsed 'presented to Union Street Congregational Church by Henry Knott, November 1937'
(1 volume, paper bound)
Ref: C/Da 114Certificate of registration of the Congregational Church, Union Street, Darlington, as a place of worship, 17 July 1862
(1 paper)
Ref: C/Da 115Certificate of registration of the Congregational Church, Union Street, Darlington, for the solemnization of marriages, 30 July 1862
(1 paper)
Stapleton (Ref: C/Da 108)Ref: C/Da 108Certificate of Congregational Mission Room, Stapleton, as place of worship
(1 paper)