Northgate United Reformed Church - Darlington, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 54° 31.797 W 001° 33.155
30U E 593665 N 6043450
This church was built in 1867 for the Presbyterians of Darlington who had split from joint worship with Congregationalists in 1806.
It is currently a United Reformed Church.
Waymark Code: WM19F3A
Location: North East England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 02/15/2024
Views: 1
Known as the Northgate United Reformed Church, their website has the following historical information.
"During the 18th Century Congregationalists and Presbyterians were already worshipping together as “Darlington Independents” in a yard just off Northgate.
In 1806 a split took place, and the Congregationalists moved to a room in Union Street. This became Bethel Chapel in 1812. This became inadequate and a new Gothic style church was built. It housed the congregation until 1975.
This building was demolished in 2021, after falling into dereliction.
The Presbyterian element met in the Mechanics Institute, in the town centre, until granted the status and privileges of a congregation.
Land in Northgate was purchased for £750.00, and in 1867 the foundation stone was laid for St George’s Church, built for £4,000.
It was this building, which became, in 1975 The Northgate United Reformed Church. Following the union of Congregational and Presbyterian Churches in 1972.
Northgate United Reformed Church is a Grade 2 listed building, constructed of locally quarried sandstone from nearby Houghton Bank. Of Gothic style, with a spire 36 metres tall, it is a local landmark.
A major church refurbishment project was carried out at Northgate URC, over 10 weeks in 2017."
link
Above the entrance is a carved figure of some sort of animal. This may represent the dragon that Saint George killed, but there is nothing to indicate whether this is true or not.