2001 saw the 125th anniversary of the dedication of the Church of S. James the Great, Darlington, the parish itself having been created in 1872 under the patronage of the Crown. The heart of the parish is the small industrial suburb of Albert hill, by the main railway line from London to Edinburgh, and which grew up around the great forges, wire mills and other heavy industry which sprung up in the wake of the railways. Then, as now, one great strength of the parish is that its boundaries are those of a natural social community and are not mere arbitrary lines drawn on a map, as is sadly the case with so many urban parishes. The forge, and the wire mills have long since gone, but the parish retains its industrial character and their are still parishioners who live only a few minutes walk away from their workplace.

A recent development has been the opening of several care homes for the elderly, to which, along with the local primary school, the Church has an active and increasing ministry. During 2002, construction of new houses started just a few hundred yards from the church; this offers past residents the opportunity not only to return to 'The Hill' but also to their church.

Priests in Times Past

From the outset, the parish has been distinctly Anglo Catholic in its life and witness, to an extent unique not only in Darlington, but in much of the South-Western part of the diocese. Outstanding among the six vicars who have served the parish, prior to the present incumbent, was Fr Theodore Gobart (1901-1930). As uncompromising in his Catholic faith and practice as in his Christian socialism, at a time when neither was fashionable (and in certain quarters, not even tolerated) he achieved a reputation far outside the boundaries of the parish, and indeed, the diocese. He was also a noted Shakespearean scholar and popular lecturer.

In more recent years the firey zeal of the diminutive Fr Arthur Cross is still remembered in the parish. He was also unique in having been incumbent twice, initially in 1950-59 and then again (after the benefice had been united with that of the town centre parish of S. Hilda) from 1963-68.

His successor was Fr Denis Smith, a much loved pastor in whose time the united benefice was severed and S. James again stood alone. During the final years of his ministry he had the assistance of a non-stipendary curate, Fr Michael Wilson, but the latter's commitments in his secular profession meant the help which he could give with visiting and other pastoral work was severely limited.

Our Present incumbent

In April 1989, Fr Ian Grieves was established as parish priest. In contrast to his recent predecessors, for both of whom S. James was the final appointment at the end of a long career, Fr Grieves is in his first incumbency and his vigorous and energetic enthusiasm has transformed the parish from something of a back-water into one of the leading Anglo Catholic parishes in the Northern Province. Since his appointment, Sunday congregations have increased five-fold, with a corresponding increase in support for the daily mass. A choir was established under his direction, which is now flourishing and accomplished. The clerical staff has been increased to four by the addition of three retired but still fully active priests, Fr Geoffrey Sowerby, Canon David Hinge and Fr Gareth Jones.

Forward in Faith

The parish was one of the first to reject the decision of General Synod in November 1992 which purported to authorise the ordination of women to the priesthood, as being wholly contrary to Catholic faith and practice and the historic formularies of the Church of England, and is now under the alternative episcopal oversight of Martyn, Bishop of Beverley, the Provincial Episcopal Visitor for the Northern Province. Bishop Martyn succeeded Bishop John (Gaisford), who was assisted initially by Gordon, Bishop of Whitby. S. James has from the outset has been prominent in the Forward in Faith movement. S. James servers and altar boys have served at several major festivals at venues including: York Minster, Durham cathedral and Hexham Abbey. The parish clergy are all members of the Chapter of Our Lady and S. Cuthbert, which provides a forum for like minded clergy in Durham Diocese and of which Fr Grieves is Chapter Dean.

Our Congregation

Predictably, S. James' distinctive and uncompromising churchmanship attracts an eclectic congregation from Darlington itself and even further afield, which has brought to the life and worship of the Church talents which it would be unrealistic to expect to find in the local community. However, the Church is also very firmly rooted in the social fabric of the local community as their church and many who are not themselves churchgoers are active in their support for it in cash and in kind. As might be expected, good ecumenical relations are enjoyed with the nearby Roman Catholic congregation, who are the only other worshipping community in the parish, and in 1995 we were pleased to welcome Bishop Ambrose of Hexham and Newcastle as the preacher at our May Devotion.

The Beauty Within

Prominent on the southern bank of Albert Hill overlooking the main road to Stockton, the exterior of the church is bleak and austere, giving no hint of the splendours which lie within. The blaze of colour and wealth of decoration which greet the visitor have an overwhelming impact, combining with the liturgy to produce that "glimpse of heaven on earth" which the Catholic Church has ever sought to give its worshippers.

Improvements to the fabric and furnishings of the church in the years in the years since Fr Grieves' institution has included the installation of a magnificent Copeman-Hart organ, with a volume and quality of tone equal to the finest pipe organs, with the consequential re-ordering of the sacristy and Requiem Chapel, including the creation of a new shrine to house the image and relic of S. James. In the opposite transept, the Lady Chapel has also been re-ordered and the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham refurbished. Following a series of burglaries, a modern security alarm system has been installed and much work has also been carried out enhance the churchyard.

The motto or slogan of S. James is, 'It's the Mass that matters" and the daily offering of the Holy Mass lies at the heart of church life, all other activities being based on and flowing from it. Apart from the full liturgical observance of the major festivals of the 'Universal Church', and in particular the Triduum Sacrum of Holy Week; the highlights of the year are the May Festival in honour of Our Lady and the patronal Festival of S. James on the 25th July, with both occasions 'standing room only'.

This enhanced activity has been reflected in the acquisition of a number of new vestments, including a festival Cope, richly decorated with motifs associated with S. James, and matching humeral veil and also some new liturgical vessels. Devotion to Our Lady is expressed not only in the annual May Festival, but also in an active Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham which meets monthly at the church's own Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.

In addition to the busy liturgical life of the church, there is a full programme of social events, many of which also help alleviate the inevitable burden of fund raising.

Now, in 2004, we await the start of major building and refurbishing works to replace the roof, install a new rose window and replace windows on the north side.

Much remains to be done, but, confident that 'We have a Gospel to Proclaim', the people of S. James are determined not to hide their light under a bushel but that 'The Church on the Hill' shall be a beacon to guide and attract in ever-growing numbers those who see the riches of the full faith, and who will have no compromise with those who reject the traditional Catholic faith and order on which, until 11th November 1992 the Church of England was based. Far from feeling rejected or maginalised, they have an ever growing confidence that it is they who are the guardians of the true inheritance of the Church of England, an inheritance that they have resolved to cherish and foster in the belief that 'On this Rock I will build my Church'.

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