Church for sale

[plumbers mate]

I think what we are both trying to say is that a building doesn't have to be big, flashy or whatever to be a beautiful one.

I could mention Escomb Church near Bishop Auckland ...... a magical story of survival - the Saxon Church was deemed too small for the expanding Victorian Village - so they built a new one and ignored the old - which of course escaped "modernisation". It had one service per year to keep it consecrated.

The declining Elizabethan village of the C20th had no use for a big victorian Church so removed it - and went back to the old Saxon one.

I think that says a lot about society, history and its circularity.
(if that's the right word!)

 

[Nemesis]

It is indeed a magical little place - at the core of a cluster of interesting buildings, although its surroundings are a bit - well, not too well chosen really.

http://www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/usp.nsf/pws/tourism+-+Tourism+Places+churches+escomb+church


http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/durham/churches/Escomb.htm

http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/durham/churches/Escomb-Photos/Escomb-Photo1.htm


It's this sort of small local building which gives places their distinction. OK that one is old enough to be protected as it should.

Too many however are given no protection at all - lovely school buildings, pubs, hospitals, even houses in a bit of land - all are being bulldozed and replaced by nowheresville.