Whitworth Parish Church, Spennymoor

Our Church is open for public worship as well as for baptisms, weddings and funerals by arrangement with the Priest. We have a good regular congregation who are very welcoming to strangers and those seeking God.  We have a Safeguarding Officer and Risk Assessments in place to give people peace of mind.

Whitworth Parish Church is set in a beautiful quiet location, virtually next door to Whitworth Hall, which was the home of Bobby Shafto but is now a Best Western Hotel. His body is buried within the Church itself. The Shafto family have a vault at the bottom left hand corner of the churchyard in which the ashes of the late Rosa Shafto are interred. She was the last Shafto to live in the ancestral home before being sold to the Parnaby family. 

The building itself is very old with every window having stained glass.  As the church is now on a Pilgrim route (The Way of Life) it is open between the hours of 10.00am and 4.00pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays for anyone to call in and view our wonderful church.  Evening Prayer has been changed to the third Sunday of the month atill at 4.00pm. There is still hand gel as you enter church but face masks are not compulsory.

Our normal church services have now recommenced.  There is no limit on numbers attending.  Weddings are now taking place.  If there is a service taking place when you arrive, there will be a board outside to show this.  Our Sunday morning Eucharist starts at 9.00am and is finished by 10.00am.  Baptisms are usually held on a Sunday afternoon between 2.30pm and 4.00pm., the second and fourth Sundays of the month.

On Easter Monday we hold Easter Egg Hunts along with other games for children and refreshments.  Time 2.00pm - 4.00pm.  On August Bank Holiday Monday  we are holding a Teddy Bear's Picnic in the Church grounds.  There will be various games for children, a tombola and refreshments.  Time 2.00pm - 4.00pm.  There is no charge for entry but we do ask that refreshments are paid for, also a go on the tombola. During Covid these events have had to be cancelled but hopefully will be running again next year. 

We try to work closely with Whitworth Hall and when they hold Wedding Fayres, we open up the church so couples can decide what kind of wedding they would like.  Having Whitworth Hall next door is very good for wedding receptions and indeed for having family stay over for the wedding.  The Hall has recently exchanged hands and the new owner is continuing to do Wedding Fayres but we are not sure how and when.  Unfortunately the Hall has closed this year for refurbishment but will hopefully re-open in June 2023.

Visits can be arranged by contacting Mrs Kath Hall on tel: 07762354967 or Mr Wayne Rhodes on tel: 01388 816 643.

Who to contact

Contact name
Mrs Kath Hall
Contact position
Church Warden
Telephone
07762354967
E-mail
kathh47@icloud.com
Website
Whitworth Parish Church

Where to go

Address
Stanners Lane
Whitworth
Spennymoor
County Durham
Postcode
DL16 7QX

Other details

Cost description
No charge
Referral required?
No
Age range
All ages

Local Offer

Local Offer description

Our Church is only small, seating comfortably 80 people.  The Font is at the back of church which gives more space for wheelchairs or pushchairs.  We usually ask if people can transfer to a seat or take a child out of the pushchair.  If that is not possible then it's better for them to be at the back of church with their family/carers.  We have no toilet as yet but are making plans for a disabled toilet.  At present Whitworth Hall is very good and allows us to use their toilets but unfortunately it is closed for refurbishment until June 2023

We have a Safeguarding Officer who also does DBS checks on Church Officials so we are a safe environment for both children and vulnerable adults. 

As from September 2003 there are no services at all due to building works going on for a toilet at the rear of the church and water pipes need to be laid  Hopeffully it will reopen in mid October 2023.

Contact name
Mrs Kath Hall
Contact telephone
07762354967
Contact email
kathh47@icloud.com
Disclaimer

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  • Whitworth Church

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Address: Stanners Lane  Whitworth  Spennymoor  County Durham

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