The remains of the original ‘tin church’ which was burnt down on 12th March 1928.

This is a photograph of St Columba’s ‘tin church’ at East Howle, just 3 miles away from Chilton. The building is still in existence, although now in a rather dilapidated state, being used as an agricultural building.

The mission halls, chapels and churches were built economically and quickly to service the needs of small groups of worshippers from about the 1870s onwards. Often referred to as 'Tin Tabernacles' they were built as temporary accommodation and the vast majority of them have already disappeared. Many were built as prefabricated kits bought from builders merchants. They were quite often dismantled and moved to new locations so one building may have served several communities.

If you would like to find out more about these types of church visit http://www.tintabernacles.com

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

After a massive fund raising effort, work started on the new Church building on the 27 th April 1929 with the ceremonial cutting of the first sod by the Revd T L Lomax MA, Vicar of Ferryhill.

The site was dedicated by the Archdeacon of Auckland, the Venerable A E J Rawlinson DD.

If you look at the background of the photograph you can see that the Church Hall has been completed.

The Foundation Stone of the Church was laid 2 months later, on the 29th June 1929, by the Lord Bishop Bishop of Durham, The Right Reverend Henley Henson.

Much of the work was done manually on site, including dressing the stone. This is one of the stonemasons, Luke Waters, who worked on the construction of St Aidan’s.

Work progressed quickly and the new Parish Church of St Aidan, Chilton was consecrated on the 10th May 1930 by the Bishop of Durham, The Right Reverend Henley H Henson DD. In attendance are the 1st Chilton Scouts and Cubs. The pack was re-started in May 2009 with 12 Cub Scouts being invested on the 17th June.

Always valuable, and especially at times of building, is the work of Churchwardens, who have responsibility for the buildings of the church. In 1930 the wardens were Mr W Barton and Mr R Hunter, pictured here.

Many special life events have been celebrated at St Aidan’s since 1930 and many happy times have been recorded since then.

The first wedding was held on the 10th May 1930 when Miss Mary Ann Nixon, eldest daughter of Mr & Mrs T W Nixon of 23 Dale Street, Chilton, was married to Mr George Roddam of Gosforth, Newcastle, the eldest son of Mr & Mrs J Roddam of Chilton. The Reverend Lancelot Wilkinson MA conducted the service.

The bride was given away by her father and the bridesmaids were Miss Lena Nixon, sister of the bride and Miss Jane Roddam, sister of the bridegroom. The best man was Mr David Roddam, brother of the bridegroom and the groomsman was Mr George Nixon, brother of the bride.

Those pictured are:

Just 4 days later on the 14th May 1930 the first baptism in the new church building was held. If you know who this family were then let us know.