Durham and Northumberland Congregational Church
Reference: C/DNU Catalogue Title: Durham and Northumberland Congregational Church Area: Catalogue Category: Non-Conformist Church Records Description:
Covering Dates: 1731-1984
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- Durham and Northumberland Congregational Church
- Regional Congregational Union (Ref: C/DNU 1-11, 53-153)
- Durham and Northumberland Congregational Union, Sunderland District (Ref: C/DNU 1-8)
- Sunderland Congregational Council, then Durham and Northumberland Congregational Union (Sunderland District) (Ref: C/DNU 9-11)
- Durham and Northumberland Congregational Union (Ref: C/DNU53-63)
- Year Books (Ref: C/DNU 53-54)
- Constitution and membership (Ref: C/DNU 55, 58-61)
- Minutes (Ref: C/DNU 56-57)
- Local churches (Ref: C/DNU 62-63)
- Files relating to The Congregational Union of England and Wales, etc. (Ref: C/DNU 64-107)
- Files re ecumenical ventures, etc. (Ref: C/DNU 108-110)
- Files on Individual Churches (Ref: C/DNU 111-150)
- County Durham (Ref: C/DNU 111-134)
- Northumberland (Ref: C/DNU 135-146, 151)
- North Yorkshire (Cleveland) (Ref: C/DNU 147-150)
- North Eastern Provincial Committee (Ref: C/DNU 152)
- The Durham and Northumberland Federation of Congregational Women (Ref: C/DNU 153)
- Individual Churches' records (Ref: C/DNU12-52)
- County Durham (Ref: C/DNU 12-13)
- Gainford Congregational Church (Ref: C/DNU 12)
- Staindrop Congregational Church (Ref: C/DNU 13)
- Northumberland (Ref: C/DNU 14-52)
- Alnwick Congregational Church (Ref: C/DNU 14-17)
- Blyth Congregational Chapel (Ref: C/DNU 18)
- Hexham Congregational Church (Ref: C/DNU 19-21)
- Willington Quay [Howdon], Stead Memorial Congregational Church (Ref: C/DNU 22-52)
Catalogue Description
Durham and Northumberland Congregational ChurchesThese records relate to closed churches, to the now defunct Sunderland Congregational Council, and to the former Sunderland District of the Durham and Northumberland Congregational Union.
The records of the Border Conference Estates Ltd. 1947-1986, formed to provide conference facilities for the Durham and Northumberland Congregational Union, and which operated Otterburn Burn Hall Hotel, are held at the Northumberland Record Office, NRO 5127.
Catalogue Contents
Regional Congregational Union (Ref: C/DNU 1-11, 53-153)Durham and Northumberland Congregational Union, Sunderland District (Ref: C/DNU 1-8)Ref: C/DNU 1-6
Minutes, 1866 - 1913, 1917 - 1968
See also C/DNU 10
(6 volumes)
Ref: C/DNU 7Draft minutes, 1951 - 1952
Include also details of numbers of delegates from each church 1949 - 1965
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 8Accounts, balance sheets and related papers, 1913 - 1968
(1 file)
Sunderland Congregational Council, then Durham and Northumberland Congregational Union (Sunderland District) (Ref: C/DNU 9-11)Sunderland Congregational Council was first formed in April 1893. It lapsed in October 1897 and was reformed on 1 May 1901. In 1914 it became the Sunderland District of the Durham and Northumberland Union.
Ref: C/DNU 9Minutes, 1895 - 1911
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 10Minutes, 1911 - 1916
Sunderland Congregational Council until 19 January 1914, on which date the Council was formally merged into the Sunderland District. The minutes from this date, therefore, relate to the Sunderland District.
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 11Committee Meetings' minutes, 1906 - 1914
(1 volume)
Durham and Northumberland Congregational Union (Ref: C/DNU53-63)Year Books (Ref: C/DNU 53-54)see also C/DNU 57 for year books 1946-1969
Ref: C/DNU 53The Durham & Northumberland Congregational Year Book, 1932, 1941, 1942, 1944, 1945, 1959
(1 bundle)
Ref: C/DNU 54The Durham and Northumberland Congregational Union Year Book, 1890 - 1898, 1900, 1902, 1912 - 1921, 1923 - 1926, 1928 - 1931, 1933, 1934, 1938, 1969 - 1970
See also C/DNU 53 and 57
(1 bundle)
Constitution and membership (Ref: C/DNU 55, 58-61)Ref: C/DNU 55Memorandum and Articles of Association, 1914, with signatures of subscribers, 1938 - 1972
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 58Papers re the Rules and their revision, 1962 - 1963
(1 bundle)
Ref: C/DNU 59-60Delegates' attendance registers, 1937 - 1967, 1968 - 1971
(2 volumes)
Ref: C/DNU 61Committee attendance register, 1961 - 1972
(1 volume)
Minutes (Ref: C/DNU 56-57)Ref: C/DNU 56Minutes of General Meetings 1913 - 1970
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 57Minutes of Executive Meetings, Annual Assembly, and various committees, 1946 - 1969
With copies of Year Books attached
(1 volume)
Local churches (Ref: C/DNU 62-63)Ref: C/DNU 62Congregational News (including photographs and brief histories of the churches at Horsley, Durham, Stockton, Hexham, Roker, Barnard Castle, Chester-le-Street, Darlington, Haydon Bridge, Sunderland, South Shields, Morpeth, St. James' Newcastle), 1956 - 1959
(1 bundle)
Ref: C/DNU 63Engravings of Congregational churches (non-Durham), n.d. [2nd half 19th century]
(1 volume)
Files relating to The Congregational Union of England and Wales, etc. (Ref: C/DNU 64-107)Ref: C/DNU 64Reports of commissions and working parties, and resolutions submitted to the Council and Assembly, etc., 1960 - 1961
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 65Northern District, minutes, circulars, etc., 1967 - 1971
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 66Board of Trade correspondence and annual returns of the Union under the Companies Acts, 1939 - 1972
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 67Free Church Federal Council, 1959 - 1963 and n.d.
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 68Provincial Ministerial Committee, minutes, etc., 1948 - 1971
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 69Durham and Northumberland Union, church returns, 1970 - 1971
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 70Bishop of Durham's Ecumenical Committee, 1969 - 1970
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 71Churches Main Committee, circulars, 1948 - 1971
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 72Commission 3, County Union Survey, 1959
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 73Provincial Structure, 1965
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 74County Union and District Structure, 1968
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 75Covenant [between churches], 1966 - 1969
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 76Draft constitution, and correspondence re trusts, 1964, 1968
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 77Correspondence from N.E. Province moderator, 1952 - 1970 [1982]
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 78N.D.U. Secretary's circulars to churches, 1967 - 1970
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 79N.D.U. Treasurer's circulars, etc., 1963 - 1964
(5 papers)
Ref: C/DNU 80Legal matters, 1937 - 1970
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 81-82Congregational/Presbyterian Church Extension schemes and general matters, 1953 - 1969
(2 files)
Ref: C/DNU 83United Reformed Church, structure, 1969 - 1972
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 84United Reformed Church, Interim Committee, 1972
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 85N.D.U. Secretary's copy letters, etc., 1970 - 1972
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 86-92Maintenance of the ministry: forms (including church statement of case, giving information re church activities, etc.) and correspondence re provision for ministers' stipends. (Many of these papers are similar to those in the individual churches' files, see below), 1967 - 1971
(7 files)
Ref: C/DNU 93Maintenance of the ministry, settlement agreement returns and lists, 1956 - 1972
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 94Children's allowances, returns, 1963 - 1972
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 95Superannuation scheme, rules, etc., 1956
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 96Manses, 1955 - 1956
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 97Ministerial transfers, 1947 - 1971
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 98Roll of ministers examinations, 1957 - 1971
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 99Enquiries re ministry, 1966
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 100Home and Overseas Churches Fund, 1968 - 1970
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 101Women's Committee, etc., 1953 - 1970
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 102Life and Work Committee, and other committees, 1953 - 1968
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 103Youth Committee, etc., 1956 - 1969
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 104Missionary work overseas, 1958 - 1970
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 105Lay preaching and pastors, 1967 - 1968
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 106Church Building and Extension Fund, 1962 - 1967
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 107Teesside District, 1964 - 1970
(1 file)
Files re ecumenical ventures, etc. (Ref: C/DNU 108-110)Ref: C/DNU 108Killingworth, Hemlington, Hartlepool, 1969 - 1971
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 109Washington New Town, 1967 - 1969
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 110Miscellaneous
(1 file)
Files on Individual Churches (Ref: C/DNU 111-150)Files kept by the Secretary of the Union, containing correspondence and forms (minister's statement, church statement, county visitors' statement, etc.) re ministers' salaries (include information on state of the buildings and of the work of the church), and re appointment of ministers, induction services, various church problems, manses, etc.
County Durham (Ref: C/DNU 111-134)Ref: C/DNU 111Chester-le-Street, 1946 - 1966
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 112Darlington, 1963, 1972
(3 printed papers)
Ref: C/DNU 113Durham, 1947 - 1971
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 114Felling, n.d.
(1 paper)
Ref: C/DNU 115Gainford, 1965 - 1966
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 116Gateshead and Low Fell, 1965, 1969
(4 printed papers)
Ref: C/DNU 117-118Grindon, 1954 - 1966
(2 files)
Ref: C/DNU 119Hartlepool (Durham Street), 1956 - 1968
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 120West Hartlepool (Belle Vue), 1957 - 1965
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 121Jarrow, 1953 - 1970
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 122Norton, 1970 - 1971
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 123Redcar, 1968 - 1970
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 124Ryton, 1959 - 1970
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 125South Shields, 1945 - 1956
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 126South West Durham Group (Barnard Castle, Cockfield, Evenwood, Shildon), 1950 - 1970
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 127Staindrop, 1951 - 1968
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 128Stockton, 1953 - 1970
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 129-33Sunderland (various churches), 1950 - 1971
(5 files)
Ref: C/DNU 134Tyne Dock, 1940 - 1965
(1 file)
Northumberland (Ref: C/DNU 135-146, 151)Ref: C/DNU 135Haydon Bridge, 1954 - 1970
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 136Heaton, 1957 - 1961
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 137Hexham, 1954 - 1968 (and Centenary Manual, with list of members and history of the church, 1887)
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 138Horsley, 1937 - 1970
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 139Morpeth, 1968 - 1970
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 140Newcastle, 1960 - 1967
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 141North Shields, 1952 - 1969
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 142Rothbury, 1940 - 1969
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 143Spittal, 1948 - 1962
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 144Tynemouth, 1954 - 1970
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 145Wall send, 1954 - 1964
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 146Willington Quay, 1953 - 1968
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 151Whitley Bay, 1965 - 1968
(1 file)
North Yorkshire (Cleveland) (Ref: C/DNU 147-150)Ref: C/DNU 147Guisborough and Lingdale, 1955 - 1972
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 148Loftus, 1958 - 1968
(1 file)
Ref: C/DNU 149Middlesbrough, 1966 - 1968
(3 papers)
Ref: C/DNU 150Saltburn, 1970
(2 papers)
North Eastern Provincial Committee (Ref: C/DNU 152)Ref: C/DNU 152North Eastern Provincial Committee, and Executive Committee meetings minute book, 16 July 1928 - 16 October 1945
(1 volume, leather half-bound)
The Durham and Northumberland Federation of Congregational Women (Ref: C/DNU 153)Ref: C/DNU 153The Durham and Northumberland Federation of Congregational Women Executive Committee meetings minute book, 30 October 1953 - 13 March 1964
(1 volume, card bound)
Individual Churches' records (Ref: C/DNU12-52)County Durham (Ref: C/DNU 12-13)Gainford Congregational Church (Ref: C/DNU 12)Ref: C/DNU 12Church Meetings' minutes, 1946 - 1954
(1 volume)
Staindrop Congregational Church (Ref: C/DNU 13)Ref: C/DNU 13Church Meetings' minutes, 1922 - 1950
Northumberland (Ref: C/DNU 14-52)Alnwick Congregational Church (Ref: C/DNU 14-17)Sion Meeting House, which opened 30 June 1816, previously met in Bondgate Hall, a house belonging to Robert Widdrington Esq., Hauxley
Ref: C/DNU 14Volume containing:-
(1) An 'historical account' of the church c.1731 - 1920
(2) Church Meetings' minutes, 1865 - 1909, 1921
(3) Roll of members, c.1845 - 1920
(4) Register of marriages, 1865 - 1915
Infolded is a list of marriages in the church from 1 January 1850 - 15 August 1865, with a note of two marriages 1927, 1928. Note that the 'first book was filled up and sent to London'
(5) Register of baptisms, 1848 - 1920, 1928
(6) Register of burials, 1878 - 1920, with two entries 1927, 1928. Gives causes of death
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 15Church Meetings' and Deacons' Meetings minutes', 1912 - 1949
Related papers infolded include Rules of the Durham and Northumberland Congregational Union, 1933
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 16Trustees' Meetings minutes, 1819 - 1905
Preceded by an account of the history of the church (1731 - 1816), pasted in the front is a devotional appeal 'To the members of Bondgate Congregation and Christians of every denomination in the town and neighbourhood of Alnwick' (printed), n.d.; related papers, 1873 - c.1937 infolded
Includes:
(1) History of the church (offprint from The Northern Light), 1873
(2) Chronological history of the church, 1906 - 1915
(3) Programme of recital by John Duxbury to the Church's Literary Society, 11 March 1924
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 17Correspondence, receipts, and related papers concerning trusteeship matters, (including the sale of the church), 1916, 1936 - 1957
includes C/DNU 17(1-3) described below
(1 file, 3 pamphlets, 3 papers)
Ref: C/DNU 17(1)Pamphlets and printed material relating to the appointment of the Rev. Thomas Dewar 'licentiate of the Church of Scotland' as assistant and successor to the Rev. Joseph Rate, 1839
Ref: C/DNU 17(2)20 March 1735
(1) Robert Anderson, of Upper Shields, parish of Alnwick, yeoman
(2) Eleanor, wife of (1)
(3) Robert Widdrington, of Hauxley, gent., and others
Bargain and Sale of a piece of land called the Burnt Walls 14.5 yards x 12 yards in a street called Bondgate by (1) and (2) to (3)
(1 parchment)
Ref: C/DNU 17(3)Abstract of title to land in the Market Place, Alnwick, i.e. the site of the Sion Church, (1764 - 1814) belonging to Ralph Annett esq., n.d. [1812 watermark]
Inscribed 'for the members of Bondgate Meeting House'
Blyth Congregational Chapel (Ref: C/DNU 18)Ref: C/DNU 18Church Meetings' minutes, 1959 - 1966
(1 volume)
Hexham Congregational Church (Ref: C/DNU 19-21)Ref: C/DNU 19Church Meetings' minutes, 1902 - 1966
Includes Secretary's reports, balance sheets and related papers
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 20Deacons' Meetings minutes, 1955 - 1966
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 21Roll of church members, 1935 - 1963
(1 volume)
Willington Quay [Howdon], Stead Memorial Congregational Church (Ref: C/DNU 22-52)Ref: C/DNU 22Church Meetings' minutes, 1942 - 1966
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 23Deacons' Meetings minutes, 1963 - 1966
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 24Church Meetings minutes, 1875 - 1984
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 25Church Meetings minutes, 1884 - 1891
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 26Church Meetings minutes, 1892 - 1908
Infolded are pamphlets and a handbill advertising centenary celebrations, 1935
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 27Church Meetings minutes, 1909 - 1918
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 28Church Meetings minutes, 1919 - 1942
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 29Building Committee minutes, 1881 - 1890
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 30Accounts of the early history of the church, lists of members and minutes of church meetings relating to membership and the pastorate, 1834 - 1893
Includes also Deacons' Meetings minutes, 1886 - 1887
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 31Communion register, 1885 - 1906
Includes also Secretary's reports, 1885 - 1893, and 'statement showing date and place of death 10 trustees of Howdon Congregational Church' n.d. [post 1912]
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 32Volume containing:
(1) List of members, 1842 - 1878
(2) Communion Register, 1878 - 1884
(3) Reports, 1883, 1884
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 33Lists of members, 1878 - 1962
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 34Guild Meetings minutes, 1889
Includes also minutes of Sunday School Building Improvement Scheme Meetings, 1894
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 35Guild Meetings minutes, 1914 - 1916
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 36Guild Meetings minutes, 1918 - 1920, 1929 - 1930, with related papers infolded
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 37Sunday School Teachers' Meetings minutes, 1869 - 1886
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 38Sunday School Teachers' Meetings minutes, 1894 - 1898
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 39Sunday School Teachers' Meetings minutes, 1898 - 1901
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 40Sunday School Teachers' Meetings minutes, 1902 - 1914
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 41Sunday School Teachers' Preparation Class minutes, 1904 - 1911
Infolded is the Sunday School Report, 1923, and part of the Finance Committee report for 1927
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 42-43Good Templar 'Fruits of Labour' Lodge Meetings minutes, 1872-1873, 1877-1881
(2 volumes)
Ref: C/DNU 44Accounts, 1884, 1887 - 1901
Includes minutes of a meeting to 'bring forward ideas and schemes for to carry on the work of the church', 26 February 1888
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 45Stead Companions (for young people over 12 years of age) attendance register and accounts, 1943 - 1946
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 46Record of church events, functions etc. by B.P. Senior, 1888 - 1891
Infolded is the Deacons' Report for 1888
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 47'Church Book' describing the activities etc. of the church, 1941 - 1944
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 48Autographs of those participating in the Centenary Celebration Services, 1935
(1 volume)
Ref: C/DNU 49Year Book, 1897
including 'a record of Congregationalism in Howdon, and a history of the village since 1770'
(1 pamphlet)
Ref: C/DNU 50Copies of the church magazine Our Times, July 1949 (the W. T. Stead Centenary Number), June 1951, June 1953, August 1957, November 1959, July 1960 and November 1960
(1 bundle)
Ref: C/DNU 51Photographic block showing the exterior of the church, n.d.
(1 block)
Ref: C/DNU 52Miscellaneous papers re property and trusteeship matters etc.
Includes church Constitution & Rules, 1885; The Lantern (church magazine), July 1886; tea ticket for laying of foundation stone, 1 October 1890; brochure for opening services and hymns to be sung at them, November 1891; general and building fund accounts, 1906 - 1911; guild programme card, 1918 - 1919; newscuttings etc. re Rev. W. T. Stead (including letter from Stead to Mr. Weir, 1883; a photograph of his house in Howdon, 1849); 1849, 1883 and n.d. 1849 - 1960
(1 bundle)
