St Mary's Parish Church, Barnard Castle, County Durham
N 54° 32.506 W 001° 55.391
30U E 569663 N 6044334
Dedicated like many local churches,to the Blessed Virgin Mary this parish church owes its foundation in about 1130 AD to Bernard de Balliol who built the castle after which the town is named.
Waymark Code: WM4A6Z
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 07/28/2008
Views: 33
The church was originally a daughter church of the parish of Gainford. Barnard Castle was in the gift of St. Mary's Abbey at York until after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539. Trinity College, Cambridge, then became the patrons and have appointed the incumbents ever since. In 1866 Barnard Castle became a separate parish with its own vicar.
A great benefactor of the church was Richard, Duke of Gloucester (later Richard III) who was lord of Barnard Castle from 1477 - 1485. He extended the church at his own cost.
By 1780 the Church was in a very poor condition. Burials took place inside the church and the there was no floors.
In 1814 much needed restoration took place. The Nave floor was lowered two feet and pews were installed. At this time the galleries were also removed, an organ loft built and stained glass windows installed. The old tower was demolished and the one we see today built at a cost of £2000.
More work was done in 1960 and further work in 1983. This included re-roofing of the Nave, Chancel, South Aisle and Transept.
Building Materials: Stone
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