To transform the world, to recreate it afresh, we must turn onto another path….

As a core part of the town’s historic centre with the Market Cross and Castle and on the main road to the Bowes Museum, St. Mary’s has been central to the life of this Teesdale market town for 875 Years.

St. Mary’s is a place of inspiration and hope. It carries the stories both of ordinary and extra-ordinary people. As a public building it welcomes all comers: pilgrims, tourists, concert-goers, and worshippers, uniformed organisations, historians, music lovers and schoolchildren, bell ringers, brass bands, brides and grooms, choirs, babies and parents, the bereaved, young people and the armed forces – all find that this ‘sacred space’ contributes to their sense of wellbeing and belonging.

Working together, the Church Council and The Friends of St. Mary’s are now launching a major appeal to enable St. Mary’s to explore new ways of making its distinctive contribution to the life of the town and the dale.

We hope that you will support us.

Rev Alec Harding