Churches of the British Isles

West Tanfield Methodist Church lies on the eastern side of Mowbray Terrace, opposite Marmion Court in West Tanfield. This chapel was opened by the Wesleyans in 1798, and was regulated by a scheme of the Charity Commissioners of 1866. Although rather small in size, it has a fairly grandiose south-west tower. There was also a Primitive Methodist chapel in West Tanfield, which closed probably in 1932, and can no longer be located.

The Parish Church of St Nicholas West Tanfield occupies a large plot on the western side of Burnt Lane, with Main Street on the northern flank and Church Street and the River Ure to the south, overlooked by the Marmion Tower. The church was built in the twelfth century, and around 1350 a north aisle was added to the nave. The three-stage tower was added in the fifteenth century, with diagonal angle buttresses and an embattled parapet and moulded plinth.

The chancel was also extended to its present length in the fifteenth century. The church underwent drastic restoration in 1859, which swept away much of the original building. The twelfth century chancel arch was replaced. The building now consists of chancel, nave, north aisle and chapel, west tower, north vestry, and south porch. There are six bells in the tower. Three were cast in 1879, a fourth in 1685, and a fifth and sixth in 1695, both of which were recast in 1873.

The Church of St Michael, Kirklington, lies inside the western bend of Whitecross Hill, at the south-west foot of the village. Originally the Church of St Michael the Archangel, the building was an early thirteenth century construction, with frequent additions. It was restored in the nineteenth century. The fabric is rubblestone, with coursed squared stone and ashlar, and Welsh slate roofs. The west tower was built in four stages with offset diagonal buttresses.

Carthorpe Methodist Church sits in a small plot on the southern side of the main street, close to the centre of the village of Carthorpe. There was a small chapel at the eastern edge of the village which had been converted into a cottage. Presumably an Early English edifice, it was later demolished. There was also a Primitive Methodist chapel, but its origins and fate are unknown. The Wesleyan Methodist chapel remains open today.

All photos on this page kindly contributed by Colin Hinson.