Tow Law Deerness and District History Society
Established 1989

Preserving the Past for Future Generations

St. Philip and St. James Church,

Church Lane, Tow Law.

A Brief History

Building the Church

Towards the end of March 1867 a group of men could be seen looking at various pieces of land in Tow Law. They were well known personalities. There was Charles Attwood, the resident manager of the Iron Company and virtual "founder" of Tow Law. With him was the Rev. G.P. Wilkinson, who was Vicar of Thornley (which then included Tow Law) from 1857 to 1891, and who lived at Harpley Park. Also in the party was the Rev. M.H. Simpson, who was Curate of Thornley and who had ministered in Tow Law since 1862.

They were examining possible sites for a new Church. One site had already been chosen, but the Bishop had thought it too far away from the village. The whereabouts of this original choice is not known for certain, but may have been in the Dan's Castle area.

Charles Attwood favoured land near Thornley vicarage, but at that time there was no bridge across the railway. They also considered a site "at the side of the Cornsay Road", but this too was at a distance from the population. Finally, they let their original plan stand.

Meanwhile the Durham architect, C. Hodgson Fowler, had designed a church in the Early English style, and was considering tenders for its construction. The lowest tender was from a Tow Law builder, William Ridley, with William Temperley as his joiner. After a meeting with the architect and after some revision of the figures they were awarded the contract at £1,952. 1s. 6d.

With a target to aim for, Mr. Wilkinson set about raising the money. Soon he was able to write down these figures: Weardale Iron Company £800; Bishop's Fund £300; Vicountess Boyne £200; Ecclesiastical Commissioners £100; Church Building Society £65; Bishop £25; G.P Willkinson £50, and a number of other donations to a grand total of £1,637.

In August 1867, a group of villagers, led by William Smith, a local grocer, held a meeting. They wanted a more convenient site for the church, and agreed to raise the money to buy half an acre of land from a Mr. William Burrell. They wrote to the Bishop about their intentions and he readily agreed to the plan. However, the mining rights for the land had been retained by Lord and Lady Boyne and leased to the Weardale Iron Company. This led to legal complications and delays which were resolved only when all sides agreed that there was no coal underneath the site! Further, the new location was in a field behind land belonging to the North Eastern Railway Co., and access to it was difficult. When the church was completed, a small piece of this land had to bought to provide an entrance into what is now Church Lane.

With the site finally chosen, work on construction began in the autumn and continued steadily through the winter. But early in 1868 there were troubles. There were no more subscriptions and the fund was £300 short of the contract price. Worse, the change of site had involved extra work, raising the price to £2,067. Worse still, some of the money promised had not yet been paid. The vicar wrote to another director of the Weardale Iron Company, a Mr. Baring, who was also the Bishop's brother, for an extra subscription, and a stiff correspondence ensued, but no cheque.

The plans had to be modified. The tower and spire were omitted. A fence was substituted for a stone wall round the churchyard. The price was now £1,892. William Smith was most upset at these modifications. He thought the vicar had failed in his duties by not attracting the necessary funds. "Let it never be said we cannot build a church at Tow Law" he wrote.

By July, 1868, William Ridley had completed the fabric in its modified form, but he was owed some £600. With such a debt the church could not be consecrated. In any case the legal difficulties over the site were still unresolved. To add to his worries, the vicar himself was not well at the time.

During the winter, some of the debt was cleared but there was still sum outstanding when the Weardale Iron Company directors met in April, 1869, to receive the architect's report on the situation. Eventually they agreed to raise their subscription to £1,100. At last the bills could be paid.

In June the lawyers completed the conveyance of the site, and on Saturday, July 24th, 1869, Bishop Charles Baring consecrated the new church.

The churchyard walls were finished in 1885 by William Ridley (for £61) and the gate pillars were put up by Joseph Ridley in 1889. The Churchyard was closed for burials (with certain exceptions) in 1884.

The spire and tubular bells were added in 1902. The bells were restored in 1967.

Looking From Bridge Street

Until February 22nd, 1848, Tow Law was part of Wolsingham. Then it became part of the new parish of Thornley. Tow Law became independent on April 2nd, 1878.

Vicars of Thornley.

1848 J. Elliott.

1857 George Pearson Wilkinson (until 1891).

Vicars of Tow Law.

1878-1888 Michael Henry Simpson.

1888-1934 Thomas Espinell Compton Espin.

1935-1940 Percy William Slater.

1940-1944 Sidney William Golding.

1944-1950 Ieuan Samuel.

1950-1958 Garland Beven Lloyd.

1959-1962 Thomas Brynmor Davies.

1964-1970 Philip Wright.

1971-1981 Andrew Scott.

1982-1991 Anthony Driver.

Joint Benefice of Tow Law and Satley

1993- 1999 Tony Wright.

Joint Benefice of Tow Law, Satley and Stanley Crook

2001- 2004 Peter Thomas Davis, SSM

2005-            Geoffrey Hyland Lawes (Interim Minister)

Curates of Tow Law.

1881-1888 Thomas Caleb Hughes.

1888-1889 William Downard.

1889-1897 Stephen Davison.

1897-1911 John Michael.

1911-1935 Thomas Bertram Weatherell.

East Window given in 1882 by the Rev. Michael Henry Simpson (first Vicar) as a thank offering. It depicts the Good Shepherd with the four Evangelists. Restored in 1965.

West Window depicts the Passion of Our Lord. With inscription underneath 'O give thanks unto the Lord for he is gracious and his mercy endureth for ever.

St. Oswald and St. Aidan Windows Memorial windows to the fallen of the two World Wars. They were dedicated by the Bishop of Jarrow on October 21st 1950.

St. Anne Window In memory of Annie Settle killed through enemy action in 1940 and was dedicated by the Rev. E de G. Lucas in November 1946.

St. Cuthbert Memorial Window In memory of Anthony and Elizabeth Gill. It was dedicated by the Bishop of Jarrow on May 23rd, 1965.

SS. Philip and James Window, is memorial to the Rev. Thomas Henry Espinell Compton Espin. (Vicar 1888-1934) and was dedicated by Bishop Hensley Henson on May 1st 1938.

Litany Stool and Eagle Lectern, were added in June, 1911, as a result of money raised through the inspiration of the Rev. John Michael. Mr. Michael died on November 19th that year, and the font cover was installed by the parishioners in his memory.

Oak Reredos behind the Holy Table, is the people's memorial to the Rev. M.H. Simpson. It was made by Robert Rawes and dedicated by the Bishop of Richmond on January 26th, 1891.

Chancel Screen, consists of fir cones, pine cones, walnuts, chestnuts and acorns glued on a wooden frame. The frame was made by Robert Rawes and the work of glueing was done by William Work, J. Harrison and the Rev. T.H.E.C Espin in their spare time. It took from November 1890 to January 1892 and they used 45lb. of glue. The finished screen was varnished by Charles Roberts.

The Organ, was dedicated on May 1st, 1885. It was installed by Harrison and Harrison for £184. It was rebuilt and extended in 1898 for £122. A balanced swell was added in 1962 in memory of Robert Minto, organist for 58 years.

The extension of the Organ involved some alterations to the vestry. The Holy Table was raised a step at the same time in 1898. This work was done by Thomas Westgarth, another well-known local builder.

Sanctuary Lamp and Chalice, were given by Mrs. Parr in 1894. She also gave the large candlesticks for the Holy Table.

The large Paten, the Alter Cross, the processional Cross and the Churchwarden's Staves, were given by the Rev. T.H.E.C. Espin in 1884.

Seven Light Candlesticks. these were given by Harry Rogerson (who was captain of the C.L.B.) and Florence Blenkiron to commemorate their marriage in 1906. The brass book stand was given my Mrs. Rogerson on her husband's death.

Communion Rails, were given in 1910 by Mrs. Bond. They were extended in 1931.

Sanctuary Panelling, is a memorial to the fallen in the 1914-18 was and was put up in 1920.

Memorial Book, gift from Mrs. Ena Ward and Family. Memorial Bookcase given in memory of Norman Ward, 1969.

Mothers' Union Banner, this was given in 1946 in memory of Margaret Weatherell. The display case for it was given in 1968 by Mrs. Calland.

Sunday School Banner and Case. Made by George and Francine Morallee. Given in 1980 by the Sunday School.

Visitor's Book, given by the Grayson Family.

Alms Dishes. Gift from Miss. Janet Gill 1965. 1974 purchased from proceeds from Whist Drives.

War Graves Cross. In memory of Lieut. Co. B.H. Charlton, Yorks. Regiment, he was Manager of Hedley Hope Colliery. He was killed in action in 1918.

Wood Cross. Used in Mothering Day Service and Holy Week. This was made by Keith Harrison.

Kneelers. Made in 1964 by a team of workers Mrs. Cowton, Miss Dowson, Miss. Galloway. The Communion Rail Kneeler and Modern Kneelers made by S.K.N'rs, the first one by Mr. George Lowe.

Altar Cloth. Given and worked by Mrs. Powell, aged 84 years who lived at Harton. Mrs. J.Littlewood fitted it on the Altar ready for the 1991 Flower Festival.

Alter Frontal. S.K.N'rs Group 1990.

In Vestry. Vestment Chest and Plaque given by families and friends in memory of Loved Ones 1990. Chasuble, Stole, Burse and Veil bought from Webb Ivory profits (J & A Littlewood).

New English Bible, given by Thomas and Emily Melrose in 1979.

Tapestry of the Last Supper, given by Mothers Union, worked by Jennie Anderson.

Church Door Brocade Curtains, given in 1988 by S.K.N'rs.

Brass Vases, in memory of Richard Dixon and Morgan Peverly Dixon, given by the family.

Fluted Brass Vases, in memory of Mrs. Morine Heslop (M.U. Treasurer 1945-1961) given by Mr. R. Heslop.

Red Pulpit Face, purple Lectern bookmaker, given in memory of Mary Morallee, by the Moralee Family 1977.

New English Bible, gift from Thomas and Emily Melrose 1979.

Altar Service Book, given in memory of Tom Wheatley 1916-1981 by Mrs. Elizabeth Wheatley 1981.

Solid Silver Ciborium, given in memory of Roland and Morine Heslop by Mr. and Mrs Rodham Heslop 1983.

Some of the gifts generously given over the span of 130 years. These gifts reveal thankfulness to God in material form and have enriched worship and beautified the Church.

There are also the unseen gifts that have been given, and the gifts which continue to be freely given.... dedication , Time and Talent.

© Tow Law History Society 1998.

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