Introduction
Under the new vision Sunday worship services are now being held weekly as a hybrid service at Elvet at 10:30 am and an in person service only at the North Road site at 4 pm. We are exploring a circuit re-organisation and we are now one church on two sites and we look forward to welcoming you to Durham City Methodist Church. We are a gathered congregation pooling our resources to further the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Elvet Methodist Church was opened in November 1903 with a week of celebration. Built with an initial capacity of about 600 the Church has remained with good membership (now about 190) for 100 years. It is the largest church in the Durham & Deerness Valley Circuit. It had changed little over its 100 years until the 1980’s when discussions began to consider changes to meet the anticipated challenges f the new millennium. So the New Era (Elvet Renewal Action) was launched formally in 1991. The interior of the church was substantially changed at the entrance, chancel and transepts. This was completed in 1995 together with important changes in the rear premises. These have opened up the uses of both church and premises so that on most days of the week there is activity of some kind. Besides the expected services and prayer meetings (and being a Methodist Church, the long round of committee meetings!) there is a variety of secular activities, some based on church membership but others organised by outside bodies.
Elvet Methodist Church has about 70 – 80 people regularly attending worship.The congregation is drawn from the city and from surrounding villages and they come from all walks of life.
There is a Junior Church staffed by volunteers catering for children from 3 up to 15+ . This meets on Sunday at the same time as the present main morning service at 10.30 am.
There is a creche available upon request for the under 3s.
The church is home to the Joint Anglican Methodist Society an ecumenical group of students having the university chaplaincy for the Methodist church in Durham City. Currently they have about 15 members led by their President and Exec.
Service times
Sunday 10.30 am at the Elvet site
there is also a link to Zoom so participation may happen from wherever you are. For further details please contact notices@durhamcitymethodists.org
Activities
A wide variety of activities take place throughout the week at Elvet. Click on the links below for more details.
- Church Project
- Choir
- Prayer Meetings and House Groups
- Junior Church and Crèche
- Uniformed Organisations
- Lunch Stop
- Women’s Fellowship
- Thursday Club
- Arts and Craft Workshop
- Winter Entertainment
- MethSoc
- Walking Group
Location
Address: Old Elvet, Durham City DH1 3HL
Directions: Elvet Methodist Church is situated in Durham City beside Hotel Indigo, opposite the Marriott County Hotel and behind the Three Tuns Student Accommodation.
View Durham & Deerness Valley Circuit in a larger map
Contact Information
For more information please contact the Minister or Mrs P.A. Bissell
Minister
Ministers and University Chaplain Rev John Squares and Deacon Ruth Lackenby
Other information
We have facilities for those who are physically challenged. There are also ‘nappy changing’ facilities for babies at Elvet.
Elvet is an ideal venue with wonderful acoustics for concerts and other musical events large or small. Elvet can seat up to 400 people and can offer refreshments.
Workshops and RSCM music exams are also held on the premises throughout the year.
We are always seeking new ways to help in the local community. If you think Elvet can offer you any help or you can help us in any way please contact Rev John Squares – details above.
If you like what you read here – do come along and join us! You will be very welcome.