St Cuthbert
Darlington, County Durham
With its cathedral like in proportions and presence, St Cuthbert's epitomises late 12th to early 13th century Early English style, with extensive use of wall arcading to frame both internal and external windows.
It comprised two large chambers, one for men and one for women, separated by large sliding shutters that were raised into the roof space by a winding mechanism that still survives. Elegant wooden steps lead up to a gated minister's stand, with a sounding board over the stand added later. Great north and south windows under brick arches have delicate glazing bars and margin lights, and the Skinnergate front boasts a rather grand single storey stone porch with Doric columns.
Quakers played a large role in establishing Darlington as a major industrial force from the 18th century onwards. Edward Pease, a devout local Quaker known as the Father of the Railways, is buried under a simply inscribed headstone in the high walled burial ground behind the Meeting House, which contains trees planted by him.
