St.
John's Parish incorporates Castleside, Moorside, The Grove and Rowley
and is located to the west of Consett in County Durham. The church itself sits at the A68
crossroads in the village of Castleside with the very welcoming watering hole
'The Smelters Arms' on the opposite corner. A break here in your journey and
a visit to both, will refresh you in Body and Soul! St John's was consecrated by the
Right Reverend Dr. Baring, Bishop of Durham on 7th March 1867. The bishop had
problems getting home that day due to heavy snow and after getting stuck at
High Stoop, had to complete his journey on a snow plough! The first vicar of
St. John The Evangelist, Castleside was the Rev. Wesley Farrar M.A. who had
at one time been a curate at the nearby parish of Lanchester and had had the
responsibility of looking after Castleside. He was vicar until 1892.
Newcastle is 16 miles to the east, Hexham 15 miles to the North, Darlington 25
miles to the South, and the lovely North Pennines and the Derwent Valley to the
West.
The church built of local stone, was designed by Mr. Ewan Christian of London
and is a reproduction of a church he had seen and admired while on holiday in
Switzerland. It is a small church, holding at a squeeze, about 130 people and
has a peaceful and welcoming feel about it.
 | On the left we have a view from the font, and on the right, the sanctury, with crucifer and acolytes. |  |
 | On the left we have a view of the west end, and on the right, the east end. |  |