History Trail 4 - Saint Andrew's Church

St Andrew’s Church stands on an ancient site, going back to Roman times.  The name Sadberge comes from the Viking name for a flat topped hill, or Hill of Pleas in Saxon times. It has been the site of fortifications when Sadberge belonged in the Land of the Prince Bishops – i.e. ruled by a group of Bishops in the 1200s? It has had a burial ground attached from around 1180 when it was used as a private chapel by the Bishop of Durham, the lord of the manor 1500 – 1600 It was converted to a Chapel-of –ease to Haughton le Skerne. Sadberge Parish was made into a distinct parish in 1856 from that of Haughton.

A Norman church precedes the current building which, was removed in 1832 by builder George Bulmer. It is believed that some former stones of previous buildings were used. Some of the stones of the ancient Norman church were taken to build the banks of the River Skerne. 

The current church was built in 1831. During its erection, the former Norman church was still standing just 6 yards south of the new building.

The current building was restored in 1890 - pitch pine benches and new oak stalls were placed in the chancel.  Two memorial windows of stained glass were also erected in the chancel by the rector in memory of his parents. For more recent history and memories see The Church and Church groups.

Along the south east side of the churchyard, Bulmer, the builder who was appointed to take it down the a path was made connecting the vicarage and the vestry in 1868 It was recently re-discovered in 2012 when some church bank maintenance work was being carried out.

The Lych gate is dated 1897. A new porch was dedicated on Dec 13^th 1904 by the Bishop of Durham