Churchyard

These areas were closed by Order in Council in February 1899, and are known as the ‘Old Churchyard’.  This is the wild, hilly area, as indicated on the map (2. & 3.), between South Street and Grape Lane, and contains many mature trees and an unusual grave monument.  However, many of the gravestones in this area were moved to the edge to create an open space for public benefit (under the terms of the Open Spaces Act, 1906).

The ‘New Churchyard’ was conveyed in 1875 and consecrated soon after (1888). Finally, a narrow strip of land immediately behind the Crossgate houses was consecrated in 1933. These areas (4. & 5. on the map) were in use for burials for most of the twentieth century and comprise a large area of sloping ground behind Crossgate, between Grape Lane and stretching up to Margery Lane and running alongside St Margaret’s allotments.  There are eight registered war graves in the ‘New Churchyard’. These graves are marked by Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstones and are all of the same pattern.  All burials are recorded in the Church registers.  St Margaret’s Church holds a Register of Burials since the 1940s; the earlier registers are kept in Durham County Record Office (please see their website for details of these holdings).

Although there is no public right of way through the Churchyard, except along Grape Lane, members of the public are welcome to visit and use the space, respecting it as a place of burial and remembrance.  It should be noted that the grounds and paths are uneven in places.  The maintenance of the Churchyard, including all paths and boundary walls, is the responsibility of Durham County Council under the terms of the Local Government Act (1972), although the land remains in the ownership of the church.

The Friends of St Margaret’s Church (FoSMC) was formed in 2018 at the suggestion of a local allotment holder and under the auspices of the Parochial Church Council.  A wildlife survey was commissioned from the Durham Wildlife Services and meetings were arranged with members of Durham County Council with a view to clearing vegetation to make the gravestones more accessible.  Durham Bird Club has helped to install bird boxes and monitor nesting birds.  During the Pandemic involving volunteers was necessarily limited but, in addition to clearing some vegetation in the Churchyard, wildflowers were seeded and bulbs and perennials were planted in the beds around the Church Garth.  Grants have been awarded to help purchase tools and other equipment.  A FaceBook group (FoSMC) was set up in 2021 and has recruited a growing number of volunteers who meet at monthly intervals to plant and clear paths and overgrowth.  Durham University Student Volunteering and Outreach Team have also been recruited.  Some initial research has been undertaken relating to the soldiers who are buried in the War Memorial Graves.   Recently, FoSMC, in collaboration with members of St Margaret’s Allotments, have set up a multi-faceted project to clear, map and record grave markers and headstone inscriptions in the Churchyard as well as identifying those buried who may have an unmarked grave.  Volunteers are being sought to assist with different aspects of this project.
The Churchyard has been identified as part of the Emerald Network (http://npf.durhamcity.org.uk/the-plan/chapter-4/theme-2b/policy-g3) which comprises sites of wildlife interest within our neighbourhood linked by public rights of way or pavements. The purpose of identifying this necklace of green gems is to support improvements to the biodiversity of the sites, accessibility for people with a disability and to encourage visitors for the leisure and health benefits which they offer.

Sources:

– Parish of St. Margaret of Antioch, Durham: A digest of the legal history of St. Margaret’s Church, Churchyards and other properties. Carter, Phyllis. 1994.
– St. Margaret of Antioch, Durham website; www.stjam.f9.co.uk