LAST week’s article about the derelict church in Darlington which is about to be demolished generated a lot of interest, and local photographer Peter Giroux posted on our new Memories Facebook group a set of haunting pictures that he took inside the church five years ago.

The Northern Echo:

The 600-seat Congregational church was built in 1862 to the designs of local architect James Pigott Pritchett, who is best known for designing St Nicholas’ Church at the foot of Durham Market Place – truly a landmark building.

When Mr Pritchett died in 1911, he was buried in West Cemetery in Darlington, amid the chapels he had designed there.

The Northern Echo: Peter Giroux’s amazing pictures of the inside of the Union Street church in 2015, three years, after it was struck by fire.Peter Giroux’s amazing pictures of the inside of the Union Street church in 2015, three years, after it was struck by fire.

The Northern Echo:

The Northern Echo:

The Northern Echo:

The Northern Echo:

The church in Union Street, which is behind Boots the Chemist in the town centre, closed as a place of worship in 1972 and became a carpet and furniture shop. It was abandoned in 2012 after a fire, and has become dangerous, leading the council to step in and arrange its demolition, which is imminent.

But the Congregationalists have been in Union Street since they build their first, small chapel there in 1812, and on his visit, Peter spotted that first chapel’s foundation stone.

The Northern Echo:

It is hoped to salvage that stone during the demolition.

ALL sorts of fascinating things and comments are being added to our North-East Memories Facebook group. Plus there are more of Peter’s pictures. Find us on Facebook here, and we’ll let you join!