St Cuthbert’s launches community history project in Darlington

The church has launched The Voices of St Cuthbert’s, an oral history project that aims to capture and archive audio recordings from anyone with a connection to the building.

Whether their memories are tied to worship, family events, school visits, volunteering, or simply moments of reflection, the church wants to hear and preserve them.

Kaitlyn Beattie, project manager for the Opening Doors Project, said: "We've spent a lot of time talking about restoring the building, but we also want to preserve something that can't be repaired once it's gone – people's memories.

"Many of those stories have never been written down.

"They're told around family tables or shared when old friends meet.

"We'd love to record them while we still can."

The project seeks to create a living archive of voices and stories to complement the physical restoration of the church, which is currently underway as part of the wider Opening Doors Project.

Organisers believe that St Cuthbert’s history is as much about the people who have passed through its doors as it is about the Grade I listed building itself.

Thousands of Darlington residents have marked life’s milestones there.

Some recall singing in the choir or attending Sunday School, while others remember quiet moments of reflection in its pews.

Ms Beattie said: "Almost everyone in Darlington seems to have a St Cuthbert's story.

"Sometimes it's about a wedding or a christening.

"Sometimes it's because their grandparents worshipped here, or they visited with school.

"When you put all those memories together, you're not just telling the story of one building – you're telling the story of the people who have lived in Darlington.

"It doesn't matter whether your story is from sixty years ago or six months ago.

"If St Cuthbert's has been part of your life in some way, we'd really like to hear from you."

The church hopes to collect recordings that reflect a wide range of experiences, from formal ceremonies and community events to everyday encounters and personal reflections.

The project will run until January 1, 2027, giving people plenty of time to contribute.

Organisers are particularly interested in stories about weddings, baptisms, confirmations, school visits, choir participation, bell ringing, concerts, exhibitions, volunteering, and memories of clergy or churchwardens.

However, no story is considered too small.

Ms Beattie said: "Sometimes it's the small stories that tell us the most.

"The memory of a particular person, the smell of polish on the pews, walking through the church with your grandparents or singing your first hymn.

"Those are the memories that bring history to life."

There are several ways to take part.

People can record a voice note of up to five minutes on their phone and email or WhatsApp it to the church.

For those less comfortable with technology, a team of parishioners is being recruited to help record stories in person.

A dedicated Listening Point will be available at the church on Heritage Open Day, which falls on Saturday, September 19.

Visitors will be able to speak with project team members and record their memories on site.

Ms Beattie hopes the collection will become a valuable community resource for generations to come.

She said: "When people look back at the Opening Doors Project in years to come, they'll see how we restored the building.

"We also want them to hear the people who worshipped here, celebrated here, worked here and made St Cuthbert's part of their lives.

"That's a history no building can tell on its own."

Contributors are encouraged to include their name and describe their connection to St Cuthbert’s.

Recordings can be submitted by email to kaitlyn.beattie@stcuthbertsdarlington.org.uk or via WhatsApp to 07704 823610.