For 750 years, the ancient stone walls and pillars of St Andrew’s Church at South Church have absorbed worship, prayer and a variety of events and services, but none like it absorbed earlier this month.
The night saw people dancing in the aisles as over 400 attended the Rock Choir concert to start the church’s 750th anniversary celebrations.
Marilyn Weerasinghe, congregation member and one of the organisers said: “We are thrilled that so many people came out to support the first event of the 750 year celebrations. The church was full to capacity and everyone had a great time.
“Huge thanks go to the Rock Choir for coming along and providing a wonderful evening, and to the volunteers and local organisations who also gave support.
“Baccanalia CIC for ticketing and promotion, M&S for supplying flowers for the displays, and Tesco who provided the biscuits for the refreshments.
“Last but no means least to Judith Moran who sponsored the event by paying for the heating to ensure everyone received a warm welcome.”
A 70-strong Rock Choir, led by Rob Slater, bellowed out 70 minutes of harmonised music, with songs from Queen, Lady GaGa and The Greatest Showman.
It was evident from the start that Rob was highly-trained and charismatic and had a great rapport with the members throughout the performance.
He said: “Members of the Rock Choir come from all walks of life and don’t need to have music experience, just the confidence to walk into a group and willingness to rehearse each week.
“It was wonderful to be back in Bishop Auckland with a sell-out crowd.”
Throughout 2024 volunteers of the church along with the clergy have organised a number of events to take place to celebrate the history of the church and raise much needed funds. The church has the only peal of eight bells in the town and they are a symbol of church and community.
Bells have rung continually at St Andrew’s since the 15th century, with the only time they haven’t being during the world wars and Covid.
Funds have been secured for new ropes for the bells, and community members are learning the art of bell ringing to ensure their legacy continues.
The next event in the celebrations will take place on 28 April at 2pm, when the church will be holding a family service to celebrate the rededication of the bells and blessing of the new ropes.
This will be performed by the Very Reverend Dr Philip Plyming, the Dean of Durham Cathedral. The Lord Lieutenant, Sue Snowdon will also be speaking.
Prior to the service, a quarter peal will be rung by a first class band of ringers from the bell ringing community.
There will be ringing within the service both from the church bells and hand bells, with the opportunity afterwards for people to try hand bell ringing and visit the ringing room. Visiting ringers will be able to ring the bells.
There will also be a musical performance by St John’s RC School choir.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
