| St John the Evangelist's Church, Darlington | |
| Pushpin Map: | County Durham |
| Map Caption: | Location within County Durham |
| Coordinates: | 54.5228°N -1.5431°W |
| Location: | Darlington |
| Country: | England |
| Denomination: | Church of England |
| Dedication: | Saint John the Evangelist |
| Consecrated Date: | 16 July 1853 |
| Status: | Closed |
| Heritage Designation: | Grade II listed |
| Architect: | John Middleton |
| Groundbreaking: | 10 September 1847 |
| Completed Date: | 3 January 1850 |
| Closed Date: | 5 February 2023 |
| Length: | 106feet |
| Width: | 50feet |
| Height: | 60feet |
| Spire Height: | 90feet |
| Bells Hung: | 8 |
| Parish: | Saint John Darlington |
| Deanery: | Darlington[1] |
| Archdeaconry: | Auckland |
| Diocese: | Diocese of Durham |
St John the Evangelist's Church, Darlington is a Grade II listed former Church of England church on Neasham Road, Darlington, County Durham.[2]
The church was designed by John Middleton and built between 1847 and 1849. The foundation stone was laid on 10 September 1847 by George Hudson Esq M.P.[3] The design included a spire projected to be 160feet high sitting on the 90feet tower, but this was never added.
The church opened for worship on 3 January 1850.[4]
The debt took some time to pay off, but by 1853 the Bishop of Durham agreed to consecrate the church and it took place on 16 July 1853.[5]
The vestries were added in 1900 by W.S. Hicks.
In December 2022, it was announced the church was to close due to declining congregation numbers and rising running costs, a final service was held on 5 February 2023. [6]
Initially services were accompanied by a Seraphine.[7] A pipe organ was presented in 1857 by Nathaniel Plews,[8] which was second hand from Bedale church. However, this proved to be unsatisfactory and in 1865 a new organ was installed by Mr. Nicholson of Newcastle upon Tyne which included parts from the old organ. The cost was £150.
This organ was replaced in 1890 when a 2 manual organ was built by H.S. Vincent and Company of Sunderland. The opening recital was given on 18 September 1890 by Philip Armes, organist of Durham Cathedral.[9] A specification of the current organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register. It has been awarded a Grade II* listing by the British Institute of Organ Studies.
The tower contains a ring of 8 bells. Five were installed in 1848 by Charles and George Mears. Three more were added in 1893 by Mears and Stainbank.[10]