We live and work in a UNESCO Global Geopark and National Landscape: the Benefice of Upper Weardale stretches from the Cumbria border to Frosterley, and from the Northumberland border to the boundary of Teesdale. There are many unique and beautiful villages around our one hundred square miles of the North Pennines.
St Thomas (Heathery Cleugh) in Cowshill
St. Thomas is one of the parish churches of the Parish of West Weardale, Benefice of Upper Weardale. The church is located in the centre of the village of Cowshill, having been rebuilt there in 1912 after an encroaching quarry forced abandonment of the nearby original site. The church is open every day, and visitors to the area are cordially invited to stop in to visit. Copies of the church registers are available to look through, and the simple but aesthetic interior provides a welcome place for quiet reflection.
Sunday services are held in Cowshill on the second and fourth Sundays of every month, with the service taking place in neighbouring St. John’s Chapel on the first and third Sundays. In months with five Sundays a special service at various locations is held on the fifth Sunday.
St John the Baptist in St John’s Chapel
St. John the Baptist is one of the parish churches of the Parish of West Weardale, Benefice of Upper Weardale. The Church, a listed building, was built in 1465 on the site of an earlier building.
Sunday services are held in St. John’s Chapel on the first and third Sundays of every month, with the service taking place in neighbouring Cowshill on the second and fourth Sundays. In months with five Sundays a special service at various locations is held on the fifth Sunday.
All Saints in Eastgate
All Saints is one of the churches in the Benefice of Upper Weardale. The church is designated a festival church and currently holds special services, typically; Mothering Sunday, Easter Day, Ascension Day, Remembrance Sunday, Harvest Festival and a Carol service at Christmas.
St Thomas in Stanhope
Serving the parishes of Stanhope, Rookhope and Frosterley, St Thomas church was built on Saxon foundations by the Normans, in the centre of the small market town of Stanhope. The building is currently closed to visitors as we deal with dry rot and we are taking this opportunity to make changes which will help the church to continue to provide for the Christian spiritual needs of the wider community.
We are currently using the Church Hall for worship, the hall is on the opposite side of the road next to Stanhope Police Station and opposite Cafe 1909.