High Grange Mission 1914-18

High Grange War Memorial Mission

Closed.

The plaque is now in St. Paul’s Church.

1914-18

Hall opened and plaque unveiled 21st August 1920 by Mr. W.H. Hustler-Hustler;
dedicated by Rev. Canon W.F. Cosgrove; Vicar of Holy Trinity, Darlington.

Former Army Hut.
Plaque of brass on oak pattress

Probably the Parish Authorities when planning the Mission Hall.

Public subscription.

The hut was re-erected by voluntary labour under the direction of Coun. W.J. Pescod.

Designed by Herbert Wauthier;
Artist: F. Osborne & Co. Ltd., London.

1914  †    1919

High Grange War Memorial Mission
This building was erected to the glory of God
and in loving memory of
Names
who laid down their lives for King and Country in the Great War.
Greater love hath no man than this.

Mission Hall.

The mission hall building was an Army Hut which had been used in a prisoner of war camp at Stanhope during the war.

“The interior has been beautifully decorated and fitted up for religious purposes, and the whole of the work was voluntarily done by parishioners.” (Northern Echo )

“The interior is tastefully decorated with wood panelling half way up the wall the rest being colour-washed.

The east end of the church is coloured a pale cream with red dossal hangings and later fittings to match.

Part of the altar fittings were transferred from the local Council Schools, where services had previously been held.”
(Auckland Chronicle ).

Plaque 18 inches high x 24 inches wide (46cms x 61cms) with chamfered edge carries the dedication inside a slightly sunken centre panel.

At centre top is a cross, with the dates “1914” and “1918” on each side.

Names are listed in two columns.

Lettering is in blue Roman capitals.

1. The Mission Hall accommodated services previously held in the School hall at High Grange – which is a short distance from Hunwick.

2. The original High Grange Mission Hall, having been opened as a War Memorial in 1920, was closed and sold in 1943, at which time the plaque was transferred to the Church. (The history of the Church refers to a stone tablet being transferred from the Mission Hall, but there is no indication that the existing metal plaque is anything but the original)

3. Mr. W. Hustler-Hustler of Acklam Hall, Middlesbrough was presented with the silver key which bore the legend: “High Grange War Memorial Mission. Presented to W. Hustler-Hustler, Esq., 21st August 1920”.

Photos: John and Mavis Dixon

Auckland and County Chronicle
26/08/1920 reports unveiling.

Darlington & Stockton Times (North)
28/08/1920 reports opening.

Northern Echo
23/08/1920 reports unveiling.

The Monumental Brasses of County Durham William Lack, H. Martin Stuchfield and Philip Whittemore 2002 ISBN 095 4327101

The Parish Church of St Paul, Hunwick A Short History by Richard Ashby.

Dorothy Hall;
Mr Pentecost, Churchwarden;
John and Mavis Dixon;
Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale