St Edmund’s Church, Sedgefield

The parish of Sedgefield was founded by Bishop Cutheard sometime between AD 900 and AD 915, and a wooden church would have been built.  With the coming of the Normans a stone church with rounded arches as in Durham Castle would have been built and in the year 1085 Ulchild became the first recorded Rector.  

The present church was built between 1246-1256 with later additions (the tower dates from 1490) and is dedicated to St. Edmund the Bishop, that is Edmund Rich, Archbishop of Canterbury.  This dedication is rare in England.  

The church tower ( 90 feet high)is visible for miles around. It is a Grade1 listed building and is considered one of the principle medieval churches in the diocese.

Our church is not always open outside of regular services, if you wish to visit please ring the Parish Office on 01740 622012 or e mail office@upperskerne.org.uk and we will endevour to find someone to let you in

You are more than welcome to come, experience the quiet and inspiration of a place used for prayer for over 750 years, and look at the features of our church. These include some very early brasses and a beautiful seventeenth century carved screen.

 A major programme in the 1990s restored the church tower and other parts of the stonework. A new lighting and sound system has recently been installed.
The current seating capacity is around 350.

There is no church hall but a portion of the church under the tower has been converted into a meeting room and kitchen area with seating for up to 30, allowing meetings and other activities to take place.

Church members play an important part in the life of the town and the surrounding area. A team from St Edmund’s is currently helping to pioneer a diocesan ‘Inspired Futures’ initiative to help grow the church and make it more readily available to local interest groups of various kinds. 

Plans are already well advanced to launch an interactive local heritage centre in one of the transepts, provide gallery space for local artists and photographers, develop better facilities for concerts and entertainment at the crossing, and give people with limited IT skills access to new technology so they can keep in touch with family overseas.

They are all developments that demonstrate our commitment to local people and our care for others alongside our primary role - to provide a place of welcome for anyone wishing to join us in our Christian worship.

Visit the Friends of St Edmunds website here