HOLY TRINITY CHURCH EGGLESTON opened in 1869
REVD THOMAS EVAN JONES
There was a rather unpromising start for Thomas Evan Jones the new Curate as he arrived in Barnard Castle in 1849, amid a serious brawl which it transpired was a regular occurrence. Having spent 5 years training to be a lawyer he may have been forgiven to wonder about his career choice. Despite this introduction to Teesdale he remained and became one of the dales most inspiring clergymen.
Shortly after his arrival a cholera epidemic broke out claiming 143 lives. Together with the vicar, Reverend George Dugard he visited the sick daily and they worked hard to ease the suffering of the poorer families.
In 1859 he was moved to Eggleston as curate-in-charge. Here his work really began. There was no vicarage, so he had one built on land given by Timothy Hutchinson of Eggleston Hall. In the following years he managed to separate Eggleston from Middleton-in-Teesdale parish, which had control of it and had Eggleston recognized as a chapelry in charge of its own affairs.
Services were held in the small old chapel, (previously known as the chapel of rest), in the grounds of Eggleston Hall gardens, the remains of which can still be seen today.
Once again Revd Jones became a driving force this time for the building of a new place of worship. Mr Hutchinson gave the land and a handsome donation. The builder was Benjamin Hepworth of Barnard Castle and the all the woodwork was done by John Adamson of Eggleston. Holy Trinity Church was opened in 1869. It is in the attractive early English style; cost £1,450.00 plus £225.00 for the wall that surrounds it.
But Revd Jones work was not finished. Together with his ministry and pastoral work, once the church was running smoothly he set to work to have Eggleston recognized as an independent parish. He achieved this in May 1875. One of the signatories ratifying the new parish was Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, who later became Lord Beaconsfield. This was a triumph for Revd Jones marking the pinnacle of his influence upon the dale.
Sadly he died less than two years later in March 1877 at the age of 54 years. It is felt that he fell ill due to over-exertion. Many tribures were paid and an eight-verse poem written to him. This verse sums up his effect on one and all:
Welcome was he,
the load of care half lightened,
To hear his footstep fall
His cheery voice and
Kindly face e’er brightened
The cottage and the hall.
Truly a loved man
There was a rather unpromising start for Thomas Evan Jones the new Curate as he arrived in Barnard Castle in 1849, amid a serious brawl which it transpired was a regular occurrence. Having spent 5 years training to be a lawyer he may have been forgiven to wonder about his career choice. Despite this introduction to Teesdale he remained and became one of the dales most inspiring clergymen.
Shortly after his arrival a cholera epidemic broke out claiming 143 lives. Together with the vicar, Reverend George Dugard he visited the sick daily and they worked hard to ease the suffering of the poorer families.
In 1859 he was moved to Eggleston as curate-in-charge. Here his work really began. There was no vicarage, so he had one built on land given by Timothy Hutchinson of Eggleston Hall. In the following years he managed to separate Eggleston from Middleton-in-Teesdale parish, which had control of it and had Eggleston recognized as a chapelry in charge of its own affairs.
Services were held in the small old chapel, (previously known as the chapel of rest), in the grounds of Eggleston Hall gardens, the remains of which can still be seen today.
Once again Revd Jones became a driving force this time for the building of a new place of worship. Mr Hutchinson gave the land and a handsome donation. The builder was Benjamin Hepworth of Barnard Castle and the all the woodwork was done by John Adamson of Eggleston. Holy Trinity Church was opened in 1869. It is in the attractive early English style; cost £1,450.00 plus £225.00 for the wall that surrounds it.
But Revd Jones work was not finished. Together with his ministry and pastoral work, once the church was running smoothly he set to work to have Eggleston recognized as an independent parish. He achieved this in May 1875. One of the signatories ratifying the new parish was Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, who later became Lord Beaconsfield. This was a triumph for Revd Jones marking the pinnacle of his influence upon the dale.
Sadly he died less than two years later in March 1877 at the age of 54 years. It is felt that he fell ill due to over-exertion. Many tribures were paid and an eight-verse poem written to him. This verse sums up his effect on one and all:
Welcome was he,
the load of care half lightened,
To hear his footstep fall
His cheery voice and
Kindly face e’er brightened
The cottage and the hall.
Truly a loved man
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