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Darrington and Durnford Churches. 
By C. E. Pontine, F.S.A. 
THE CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS, DURRINGTON. 
HIS Church underwent considerable rebuilding and enlarge- 
ment during the year 1851, under the hands of Mr. J. W. 
Hugall, architect, of Pontefract, when much of the old work was 
necessarily obliterated. It is fortunate, however, that plans of the 
Church as it previously existed have been preserved, together with a 
description of the building in 1849 and the alterations subsequently 
made in it contained in an interesting letter to the Incumbent, 
the Rev. R. Webb, dated Cheltenham, 29th October, 1855. The 
following are extracts from this letter :— 
“My first visit to Durrington in January, 1849, enables me to 
judge as to the actual necessity for an increase of accommo- 
dation for the parishioners beyond that afforded in the then 
existing Church. Several difficulties presented themselves in 
arranging the new ground-plan, but after some consideration I 
determined upon recommending that which has been carried out. 
“The old Church consisted of a nave and south aisle, west tower 
and chancel—the nave being a Norman structure, the aisle 
of debased character; the tower, Perpendicular; and the 
chancel, Early English. The font was defaced and of poor 
character; the pews high, but containing much good oak 
carving of, the 16th century; the pulpit of the same date; a 
western gallery projecting into the nave and filling the tower 
marred the effect of the tower arch; and the chancel was 
both ill-furnished and unadorned, and without any archway 
or other mark of separation from the nave. 
“The whole structure, with the exception of the tower, presented 
undeniable evidence of irreparable decay. 
