St Thomas Heathery Cleugh, Cowshill
St. Thomas is the parish church of Heathery Cleugh Parish, Benefice of Upper Weardale. The church is located in the centre of the village of Cowshill, having been rebuilt there in 1912 after an encroaching quarry forced abandonment of the nearby original site. Whilest most rural parishes are named after the village where the parish church is located, there is no village of Heathery Cleugh, the name instead being that of a ravine and burn passing under the roadway a half mile northwest of the church near the location of the original building.
The church is open most days, and visitors to the area are cordially invited to stop in to visit. Copies of the church registers are available to look through, and the simple but aesthetic interior provides a welcome place for some quiet reflection. The Find Us tab at right gives info for obtaining a key if the church is locked.
The priest-in-charge of Upper Weardale is the Rev Claire McClelland, 01388 537063 or [email protected] Please contact Claire to arrange baptisms, weddings, funerals and for enquiries about churchyards and memorials.
The assistant curate is the Rev Heather Ross - 01388 537439 or [email protected]
The benefice is also served by lay reader Greg Round and several retired priests.
Get in touch
Rev Claire McClelland
Safeguarding
The parish of Heathery Cleugh is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Durham’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services. For information or to discuss any matter relating to safeguarding please contact the Benefice Safeguarding Office Ms Liz Walsh: [email protected] or the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser Ms Beth Miller: 07968 034075 [email protected]
For further information click here to see the Diocese of Durham safeguarding pages