The ‘hidden’ County Durham church with medieval roots

The church, which holds Grade II listed status, was rebuilt in 1862-63 by architect Samuel Sanders Teulon, one of the most distinctive church designers of the Victorian era.

It replaced an earlier church dating from 1781, which itself stood on a medieval site thought to have served the village for centuries.

Historic records also trace a church at Hunstanworth back to at least 1311.

Its Grade II* listing places it among the country’s most important historic buildings, a designation reserved for particularly significant structures of more than special interest.

A Victorian masterpiece in the Durham Dales

St James’ sits at the heart of tiny Hunstanworth, a historic village in the North Pennines countryside west of Consett.

Unlike many ancient parish churches that evolved gradually over hundreds of years, St James’ is notable for its bold and largely complete Victorian design.

Teulon created a dramatic Gothic Revival church built from sandstone, using a mix of colours and textures to give the building a distinctive appearance.

One of its most unusual features is its patterned roof, made from purple and green slates arranged in decorative designs.

The church’s north-west tower rises above the village skyline and is topped by a pyramidal roof and weather vane, while a round stair turret adds to its fairy-tale appearance.

Large traceried windows, steep rooflines and carefully crafted stonework reflect the confidence of Victorian church architecture at its height.

Medieval roots beneath the stone

Although the present building dates from the 1860s, the site itself has a much longer religious history.

Historic England records that the church was rebuilt on a medieval site, preserving the long-standing connection between Hunstanworth and Christian worship.

That heritage means St James’ represents several centuries of village life, from the medieval parish through to the ambitious Victorian rebuilding that created the church seen today.

Inside, visitors will find stone arches, an arcaded chancel and a richly detailed interior that showcases Teulon’s craftsmanship.

A church at the centre of village life

Despite its historic significance, St James’ remains a working parish church within the Diocese of Newcastle.

Surrounded by a collection of listed buildings and historic stone walls, it forms the centrepiece of the Hunstanworth Conservation Area.

Its rural setting, dramatic Victorian architecture and centuries of history make it one of County Durham’s hidden ecclesiastical treasures.

Visiting St James’ Church

St James’ Church is in Hunstanworth, near Blanchland, in west County Durham.

Visitors exploring the Durham Dales and North Pennines will find a church that combines Victorian Gothic splendour with a much older medieval story.

Whether admired for its architecture, history or peaceful setting, St James’ remains one of the most distinctive historic churches in the county.