WHEN she was appointed to take over six Methodist chapels in a North-East dale, Sue Peat had to idea she would be making history.

For the 39-year-old probationer deacon has become the first woman to minister at High House Chapel, in upper Weardale, County Durham.

The chapel, in whose grounds a thorn tree was planted to commemorate visits by Methodist founder John Wesley in the mid-1700s, is the oldest in the world in continuous use.

The chapel is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year after being built as “a preaching house for divine worship” in 1760. It has always had male ministers.

Deacon Peat said: “I feel very honoured and quite humble to be preaching in this chapel.”

Deacon Peat, who was born in Mansfield, Derbyshire, had never visited Weardale until her appointment, although she studied for the ministry at St John’s College, Durham, for a year. It will be two years before she is officially ordained a deacon.

In Weardale, she is in charge of six chapels – in Wolsingham, Frosterley, Stanhope, Eastgate, Rookhope and High House.

“I am concentrating on listening to people and learning about everyday life here in the dale,” she said. “I am also anxious to preach a working gospel, relevant to the needs of local people.”

Deacon Peat joins a 62- strong band of clergy currently serving in the Darlington and District Methodist Circuit. Of these, 29 are women.