St Mary's Church Barnard Castle

St Mary's, Barnard Castle - Features of Interest

Reproduced from Original Manuscript by R. J. Jones 1913

Baptistry:- The font of Tees marble is remarkable for its size: it is probably the latest pre-Reformation font in the county of Durham and may be dated about 1485. The basin is octagonal, each side bearing a shield. On four shields are the letters A,E,M,T,’ and the alternate shields and the east side of the base are carved with a symbol considered to represent the mark of a merchant or brotherhood. The late Rev. J.F.Hodgson, an eminent archaeologist, explained the meaning of the letters as follows~- T.E. stands for the name of the donor, probably Thomas E_____. The M & A are the initial and terminal letters of the name “Maria”, the M containing all the letters of Maria as an monogram. The conclusion is, therefore, that the font was given in honour of the Virgin Mary by some wealthy merchant of Barnard Castle, whose initials were T.E.. The font formally stood within the west entrance, and later near the north porch. In the baptistry are arranged the mural tablets removed from the walls of the church in 1868, the most striking of which is a fine monument of Malta stone by Sir Richard Westmacott, R.A., containing a statute of justice. It is a memorial to Sir John Hullock, a native of the town. The monument, originally erected in 1835, was over the vestry door in the chancel.

South Aisle:- Lowside window Between the south door and west end, there was formally a lowside window now walled up. Many and varied are the positions these windows occupy in different churches, and hence, there are considerable divergence of opinions as to their use. This particular example, Mr. Haswell suggests, may have been used for confessional purposes, while the Rev.J.F.Hodgson favoured the theory of “the showing of lights to drive away evil spirits”. The fine Norman south doorway was, until about 1860, completely obscured by an unsightly porch. This was removed, but the doorway remained built up and covered with plaster until the restoration (1868 - 70), when the stone work was carefully repaired and the doorway restored to its original use.

The West Window is a memorial to Lieut. Colonel William Maude of the 1 St Durham Fusiliers, who died in December, 1870.

South Transept:- Chantry and burial place of Robert de Mortham. In the north corner of the east wall, outside, may be seen the remains of the priests doorway into the chantry. There were formerly two windows in the east wall, and a portion of the arch of the southernmost is exposed through the plaster.

The south window was erected in memory of the Rev. Canon Dugard, Incumbent of the parish, 1847- 65. The south transept was for long the burial place of the Bowes family of Streatlam, and the walls formally were adorned with several escutcheons, a helmet, a gauntlet, and a banner.

North Transept:- The recumbent effigy of Robert de Mortham, previously mentioned, reposes in the western recess whither it was moved during the restoration (1868 -70). The monument is a good example of the Decorated Period (1300-1377). The figure is attired in Ecclesiastic vestments and the left hand holds a chalice. On the right shoulder a bird was originally sculptured, and at the feet there is a lion. The inscription reads as follows:
ORATE PRO AlA: ROBERTI DE MORTH’M QNDAM VICARII DE GAYNFORD
[Pray for the soul of Robert de Mortham formally vicar of Gainford]
In the eastern recess are several grave slabs, on one of which is sculptured a beautiful 14th century decorated cross, the right hand in benediction, a chalice and a book, signs symbolizing the priesthood. During the year 1913 there was placed in the north wall an ancient piece of sculpture which formerly occupied a niche at the south corner of Newgate, which was, many years ago, moved to Spring Lodge. The figure represents “an ecclesiastic, boldly relieved, grasping a crosier in the right hand and a book in the left, with a boar on each hand, which looks like an ornament for the gateway of some religious house”.

The lectern finely wrought in brass and jewelled, is a memorial to John Dickonson Holmes, Esq., a former churchwarden who died in 1879.

Chancel:- The terminal on the south side of the arch bears a head supposed to represent Richard, Duke of Gloucester. The miniature battlement on the southern capital of the arch is original work; this form of ornamentation is peculiar to the Perpendicular style. Above the pulpit and lectern are the corbels which supported the rood-loft. The entrance to the chancel was formerly closed with gates while the pews within the chancel faced west. The height of the chancel floor above the nave is a feature quite unique and attracts much attention.
The chancel screen was erected in 1912 as a memorial to the late Mr. William James Watson.
Sanctuary:- The Holy Table of oak is a finely carved example of Jacobean date. It was restored and enlarged in 1908, having previously been covered by a wooden framework. Underneath, embedded in the floor, is the pre-Reformation alter slab bearing the five consecration crosses. The reredos was erected in 1883 by the members of the congregation.
The stained glass in the east window was inserted by the parishioners to commemorate the thirty-two years ministry (1866-98) of the Rev. Canon Brown.

Church Plate:- Silver Caroline chalice and paten, presented in 1670 as a thank-offering for recovery from illness by Maxtona, wife of Sir William Dawson, of Azerby, Co. York, and second daughter of Thomas Bowes, Esq., of Streatlam. Silver chalice, bearing Newcastle assay mark, date circa 1680, and the initials of probable donors and churchwardens. On the salver is inscribed “George and Mary Edwards, 1746”. The rest of the plate is modern.

The tower contains a fine peal of eight bells, six of which were cast in 1823 and the remaining two in 1866. These were quarter tuned and re-hung in 1911.

The Register dates from 1609.

Churchyard:- In the churchyard are several fragments of cross slabs and other architectural remains. Near the tower lies a slab on which is cut the curious symbol appearing on the font; this slab was formerly inside the church.

Under the south wall of the south transept is a stone coffin discovered in 1828, and an arch from the old Priory yard in the Bank. The embattlements on the roof are worthy of notice, the form above the nave belonging to the Perpendicular period, while those on the aisles, transepts, and chancel represent an earlier style.

In the enclosure on the south side of the churchyard were interred 143 inhabitants of Barnard Castle who died from Asiatic Cholera between 18th August and 18th October, 1849.

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