Durham St. Giles
Contents "This parish, which comprises no dependent township, forms about four-fifths of the old parish of St. Giles, from which it was formed in February 1852, and has now a population of nearly 4000. It is just without the borough boundary, and comprises New Durham, Ravensflat, Ernest Place, Dragon Villa, Teasdale Terrace, Potter's Row, Lodge Hill, Bell's Villa, Broomside, Carville, the High Grange estate, the Low or Old Grange estate, and Belmont estate. Most of the villages mentioned have fallen into decay, owing to the collieries on the Low Grange and High Grange estates ceasing to work, and many of the houses are falling down.
"The villages of New Durham, Carr Ville, and Dragon Ville, which straggle over this parish, are principally occupied by ironworkers, pitmen, and the poorer classes of labourers."
[From History, Topography and Directory of Durham, Whellan, London, 1894]
"The Church, which was erected in 1856, is a stone building, consisting of nave and chancel, with a vestry on the north. It is in the early English style, and provides seating for 313. The east window of stained glass is to the memory of Mary Chapman, wife of the present Vicar. The living, which is valued at £300, is in the gift of the Bishop of Durham and the Crown alternately, and is held by the Rev. Edwin Fras. Chapman, M.A."
[From History, Topography and Directory of Durham, Whellan, London, 1894]
There is a picture (14 kbytes) of the parish church of St. Mary Magdalene, Belmont; supplied by George Bell.
The Parish Registers for the period 1858-1990 are deposited at Durham County Record Office, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UL (EP/Bel).
Baptism and/or marriage registers are indexed in the International Genealogical Index, a copy of which is available at the County Record Office.
[Last updated: 14th November 2000 - Paul R. Joiner]