St Aidan’s - A Brief History

The Beginings

The first Church of England services in Chilton and Windlestone were held in an end terrace house in South View Windlestone. It was on 11th July 1904 that St Aidan’s first buildings were opened as a mission church from St Luke’s, Ferryhill through the generosity of Revd. T Lomax, Vicar of Ferryhill. They were constructed of corrugated iron and known as the ‘Tin Church’. Ministering in the parish were Curates from Ferryhill and Church Army Officers.

These buildings were in operation until 12th March 1928 when fire left the building in ruins. Some items, including bishops chairs, brass candlesticks and vases, were rescued from the fire and are still in use today. Altogether items worth £80 were saved from the fire including communion vessels and altar frontals.

Shortly after the church was burnt down work started on Chilton Church Hall, which is still in regular use today; the foundation stone being laid by the incumbent, The Reverend Lancelot Wilkinson MA, on the 28th April, 1928.

Phoenix from the ashes

Fund raising for a new building began and the cutting of the first sod for the new building was performed on the north side by the Revd T L Lomax on the 27th April 1929. The site was dedicated by the Archdeacon of Auckland, the Venerable A J Rawlinson. It was a big occasion in Chilton when the new church building was consecrated on the 10th May 1930 by the Bishop of Durham the Rt Revd H H Henson. The guard of honour was provided by the 1st Chilton Scouts and Cubs. The pack was re-started in May 2009 with 12 Cub Scouts being invested on the 17 th June.