800th Anniversary celebrations

In the year 2000 the Church community celebrated 800 years of the Church's existence.
Events throughout the year included:
* Valentine-tide Renewal of Marriage of Vows service on Saturday 12 February.
* A combined schools music concert on Monday evening, April 10
* An Easter Day evening concert by Stanhope Silver Band and their link band from Wahlrod, Germany
* Strawberries & cream with Wine after a special historical service (18th century style)in June
* A major celebration and community service (led by the Bishop of Durham and the Stanhope Silver Band) on St. Thomas Day, July 3
* Installation of a new stained glass window(or rather, 'recycling' one to St.Cecilia from a recently made redundant church in Sunderland) - a sign of the importance of music in the life of the church and of the strong interconnections between Weardale and Sunderland
* Installation of ramps for disabled access - thanks to the kind assistance of the excellent Multiple Sclerosis Society in Stanhope
* Planning for the construction of a toilet in the Church building

The anniversary was a special time -
but it also reflected the church community's continued commitment to celebrating the good things of local life, enhancing local pride and confidence and making a contribution to the development of social and spiritual life in Stanhope.