St John's College, Durham
Encyclopedia
St John's College is a college of the University of Durham, United Kingdom
. It is one of only two 'Recognised Colleges' of the University, the other being St Chad's
. This means that it is financially and constitutionally independent of the University and has a greater degree of administrative independence than the other, 'Maintained', colleges. However, in order to maintain its status as a Recognised college, the University Council must approve the appointment of its Principal and be notified of changes to its constitution.
St John's is Durham's second smallest college, and comprises John's Hall for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying any University course and Cranmer Hall (named after Thomas Cranmer
and with its own master or Warden), an Anglican theological college in the open evangelical
tradition. The Methodist
Wesley Study Centre, named after John Wesley
, is also based within Cranmer Hall, despite not technically being part of the college.
The college is renowned for its Chapel Choir, which has flourished in recent years thanks to the college's commitment to supporting a generous number of Choral Scholarships. Another distinctive feature of St. John's College is its bar, which was created from the cellars of Linton House.
and the River Wear
, the college's setting is spectacular. The main house is Haughton House. The houses which make up Cranmer Hall were once owned by the Bowes-Lyon
family (the late Queen Mother
's family).
The majority of the college buildings are grade II listed, with parts of 3 and 4 South Bailey grade II* listed. Linton House, no 1 South Bailey, is Grade 1 listed and has much earlier origins. Before coming into the possession of St John's, it was the main property of St. Chad's College. The frontage seen today was added to an existing timber framed building after the Restoration of the Monarchy.
No 2 South Bailey has distinctive circular 'blind' windows which were revealed during a re-rendering in the 1980s, and enabled Martin Roberts, then Durham City's Conservation Officer, to date the building very precisely to the late 17th century.
The illogically interconnected nature of many of the college buildings regularly results in visitors becoming quite lost. The similarly bizarre nature of college stairways, one of which surprises the unwary by disappearing into a solid wall, adds an element of Escher to the architecture.
The college chapel
, dedicated to St Mary, and known as St Mary the Less, is of Norman
origin and was rebuilt in the 1840s, and was re-ordered at the turn of the 21st century. It became the college chapel in 1919, before which it had been the parish church
of the South Bailey. It is still a chapel of ease
in the parish of St Oswald
.
theological college in 1909, it became a full constituent college of the University in 1919. In 1958 it was divided into the theological college Cranmer Hall, and the non-theological John's Hall. The Halls have always held to a broadly evangelical tradition.
St John's was the first Church of England Theological College to have both a lay person and a woman as Principal, Dr Ruth Etchells.
St. John's performs well in a number of sports such as Cross Country Running, Mixed Lacrosse, Rowing, Men's Football (the A team went on a cup run up to the semi-finals, defeating the college champions on the way) , Badminton, Hockey and Rugby among others. St John's College Boat Club
was founded in 1910 and operates out of two boathouses on the River Wear
. It is also renowned for its contribution to university theatre, with the Bailey Theatre Company producing successful versions of Sarah Kane
's 4.48 Psychosis
in the Epiphany term of 2009 and Arthur Miller
's The Crucible
in the Michaelmas term of 2008, as well as the annual Summer Shakespeare. This involves an outdoor performance on Library Lawn. 2008's performance of Christopher Marlowe
's Doctor Faustus won the Durham Student Theatre Award for Best Play.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It is one of only two 'Recognised Colleges' of the University, the other being St Chad's
St Chad's College
St Chad's College is a college of the University of Durham in England. One of the smallest of Durham's colleges in terms of student numbers , it has the largest staff, the most extensive college library facilities, and consistently the highest academic results in Durham...
. This means that it is financially and constitutionally independent of the University and has a greater degree of administrative independence than the other, 'Maintained', colleges. However, in order to maintain its status as a Recognised college, the University Council must approve the appointment of its Principal and be notified of changes to its constitution.
St John's is Durham's second smallest college, and comprises John's Hall for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying any University course and Cranmer Hall (named after Thomas Cranmer
Thomas Cranmer
Thomas Cranmer was a leader of the English Reformation and Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI and, for a short time, Mary I. He helped build a favourable case for Henry's divorce from Catherine of Aragon which resulted in the separation of the English Church from...
and with its own master or Warden), an Anglican theological college in the open evangelical
Open Evangelical
Open Evangelical refers to a particular Christian school of thought or Churchmanship, primarily in the United Kingdom...
tradition. The Methodist
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
Wesley Study Centre, named after John Wesley
John Wesley
John Wesley was a Church of England cleric and Christian theologian. Wesley is largely credited, along with his brother Charles Wesley, as founding the Methodist movement which began when he took to open-air preaching in a similar manner to George Whitefield...
, is also based within Cranmer Hall, despite not technically being part of the college.
The college is renowned for its Chapel Choir, which has flourished in recent years thanks to the college's commitment to supporting a generous number of Choral Scholarships. Another distinctive feature of St. John's College is its bar, which was created from the cellars of Linton House.
Buildings
Formed from a number of Georgian houses on the Bailey between Durham CathedralDurham Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham is a cathedral in the city of Durham, England, the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Durham. The Bishopric dates from 995, with the present cathedral being founded in AD 1093...
and the River Wear
River Wear
The River Wear is located in North East England, rising in the Pennines and flowing eastwards, mostly through County Durham, to the North Sea at Sunderland.-Geology and history:...
, the college's setting is spectacular. The main house is Haughton House. The houses which make up Cranmer Hall were once owned by the Bowes-Lyon
Bowes-Lyon
Bowes-Lyon is a Scottish family; see the following articles for more information, including information on individual members:*Baron Bowes*Claude Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne*Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne*Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon*Gibside...
family (the late Queen Mother
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was the queen consort of King George VI from 1936 until her husband's death in 1952, after which she was known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, to avoid confusion with her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II...
's family).
The majority of the college buildings are grade II listed, with parts of 3 and 4 South Bailey grade II* listed. Linton House, no 1 South Bailey, is Grade 1 listed and has much earlier origins. Before coming into the possession of St John's, it was the main property of St. Chad's College. The frontage seen today was added to an existing timber framed building after the Restoration of the Monarchy.
No 2 South Bailey has distinctive circular 'blind' windows which were revealed during a re-rendering in the 1980s, and enabled Martin Roberts, then Durham City's Conservation Officer, to date the building very precisely to the late 17th century.
The illogically interconnected nature of many of the college buildings regularly results in visitors becoming quite lost. The similarly bizarre nature of college stairways, one of which surprises the unwary by disappearing into a solid wall, adds an element of Escher to the architecture.
The college chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
, dedicated to St Mary, and known as St Mary the Less, is of Norman
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
origin and was rebuilt in the 1840s, and was re-ordered at the turn of the 21st century. It became the college chapel in 1919, before which it had been the parish church
Parish church
A parish church , in Christianity, is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish, the basic administrative unit of episcopal churches....
of the South Bailey. It is still a chapel of ease
Chapel of ease
A chapel of ease is a church building other than the parish church, built within the bounds of a parish for the attendance of those who cannot reach the parish church conveniently....
in the parish of St Oswald
Oswald of Northumbria
Oswald was King of Northumbria from 634 until his death, and is now venerated as a Christian saint.Oswald was the son of Æthelfrith of Bernicia and came to rule after spending a period in exile; after defeating the British ruler Cadwallon ap Cadfan, Oswald brought the two Northumbrian kingdoms of...
.
History
Founded as a Church of EnglandChurch of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
theological college in 1909, it became a full constituent college of the University in 1919. In 1958 it was divided into the theological college Cranmer Hall, and the non-theological John's Hall. The Halls have always held to a broadly evangelical tradition.
St John's was the first Church of England Theological College to have both a lay person and a woman as Principal, Dr Ruth Etchells.
Student life
Despite its size, St. John's has merits that the other larger colleges do not; for instance its sense of community. Owing to its small population, it is not surprising that Johnians tend to know one another regardless of year, course, or accommodation (all first years and the majority of finalists live in college, with the second years required to find their own accommodation), and this bond contributes to College life immensely. The John's Hall freshers week is different from many other colleges in the way that relationships form more quickly due to the freshers' population being only between 100 to 120. Elected Freshers Reps are generally well known throughout college, with the strongest personalities, thereby giving new Johnians more opportunities for one-on-one interaction, providing a more solid foundation in their first few weeks than in the larger colleges.St. John's performs well in a number of sports such as Cross Country Running, Mixed Lacrosse, Rowing, Men's Football (the A team went on a cup run up to the semi-finals, defeating the college champions on the way) , Badminton, Hockey and Rugby among others. St John's College Boat Club
St John's College Boat Club
St John's College Boat Club is the boat club of St John's College, at Durham University.The club has had a number of successes in recent years, including winning the women's Novice Cup in the 09/10 and 10/11 seasons....
was founded in 1910 and operates out of two boathouses on the River Wear
River Wear
The River Wear is located in North East England, rising in the Pennines and flowing eastwards, mostly through County Durham, to the North Sea at Sunderland.-Geology and history:...
. It is also renowned for its contribution to university theatre, with the Bailey Theatre Company producing successful versions of Sarah Kane
Sarah Kane
Sarah Kane was an English playwright. Her plays deal with themes of redemptive love, sexual desire, pain, torture — both physical and psychological — and death. They are characterised by a poetic intensity, pared-down language, exploration of theatrical form and, in her earlier work, the use of...
's 4.48 Psychosis
4.48 Psychosis
4.48 Psychosis is a play by British playwright Sarah Kane. It was her last work, first staged at the Royal Court's Jerwood Theatre Upstairs on June 23, 2000, nearly one and a half years after Kane's February 20, 1999 death...
in the Epiphany term of 2009 and Arthur Miller
Arthur Miller
Arthur Asher Miller was an American playwright and essayist. He was a prominent figure in American theatre, writing dramas that include plays such as All My Sons , Death of a Salesman , The Crucible , and A View from the Bridge .Miller was often in the public eye,...
's The Crucible
The Crucible
The Crucible is a 1952 play by the American playwright Arthur Miller. It is a dramatization of the Salem witch trials that took place in the Province of Massachusetts Bay during 1692 and 1693. Miller wrote the play as an allegory of McCarthyism, when the US government blacklisted accused communists...
in the Michaelmas term of 2008, as well as the annual Summer Shakespeare. This involves an outdoor performance on Library Lawn. 2008's performance of Christopher Marlowe
Christopher Marlowe
Christopher Marlowe was an English dramatist, poet and translator of the Elizabethan era. As the foremost Elizabethan tragedian, next to William Shakespeare, he is known for his blank verse, his overreaching protagonists, and his mysterious death.A warrant was issued for Marlowe's arrest on 18 May...
's Doctor Faustus won the Durham Student Theatre Award for Best Play.
List of Principals
- 1909-1911 Rev Sidney Nowell Rostron
- 1911-1919 Rev Prof Dawson Dawson-Walker
- 1919-1945 Rev Canon Charles Steel Wallis
- 1945-1954 Rt Rev Ronald Ralph WilliamsRonald Ralph WilliamsRonald Ralph Williams was Bishop of Leicester from 1953 to 1979.He attended the Judd School in Tonbridge, Kent.He wrote The Perfect Law of Liberty: An Interpretation of Psalm 119....
- 1954-1955 Rev Dr G.J. Cumming (acting)
- 1954-1970 Rev Dr Jim P. Hickinbotham
- 1970-1978 Rev John C.P. Cockerton
- 1978-1988 Miss D. Ruth Etchells
- 1988-1992 Dr A.C. Thiselton
- 1992-1999 Rev David V. Day
- 1999-2008 Rt Rev Stephen W. SykesStephen SykesStephen Whitefield Sykes retired as Principal of St John's College, Durham at the end of August 2006. He was formerly the Church of England Bishop of Ely and held professorial chairs in divinity at both Durham University and Cambridge University.Sykes studied at St John's College, Cambridge,...
- 2008-Date Rev Professor David WilkinsonDavid Wilkinson (academic)The Revd Professor David Wilkinson, BSC, PhD, MA, PhD, FRAS is the current principal of St John's College, Durham. He is the author of several books on the relationship between science and religion, and a regular contributor to Thought for the Day on BBC Radio 4....
Notable alumni
- Richard AdamsRichard Adams (Traidcraft)Richard Adams, OBE is the British founder of the UK fair trade organisations Tearcraft and Traidcraft and of a number of social enterprises which promote ethical business.Adams attended King Edward VI Five Ways school in Birmingham...
, pioneer of fair tradeFair tradeFair trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach that aims to help producers in developing countries make better trading conditions and promote sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a higher price to producers as well as higher social and environmental standards...
and founder of TraidcraftTraidcraftTraidcraft is a UK-based fairtrade organisation, established in 1979. The organisation has two components: a public limited company called Traidcraft plc, which sells fairly traded products in the United Kingdom; and a development charity called Traidcraft Exchange that works with poor producers in... - The Rt. Rev James Harold BellJames Harold BellJames Harold Bell is the current suffragan Bishop of Knaresborough.Bell was educated at St John's College, Durham...
, Bishop of KnaresboroughBishop of KnaresboroughThe Bishop of Knaresborough is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Ripon and Leeds, in the Province of York, England... - Alastair CookAlastair CookAlastair Nathan Cook, MBE is an English international cricket player. He is a left-handed opening batsman who plays county cricket for Essex and International cricket for England, where he is their ODI captain. Cook played for Essex's Academy and made his debut for the first XI in 2003...
- English cricket player - The Rt. Rev Steven Croft, Bishop of SheffieldBishop of SheffieldThe Bishop of Sheffield is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Sheffield in the Province of York.The title was first created as a suffragan see in the Diocese of York in 1901. The only suffragan bishop of Sheffield assisted the Archbishop of York in overseeing the diocese...
- Professor Douglas DaviesDouglas DaviesDouglas James Davies is Professor in the Study of Religion in the Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Durham. He is an authority in the history, theology and sociology of death. His fields of expertise also include anthropology, the study of religion, the rituals and beliefs...
, theologian - The Rt. Rev Christopher Paul EdmondsonChristopher Paul EdmondsonChristopher Paul Edmondson has been the Anglican Bishop of Bolton since 2008.Educated at St John's College, Durham University, he was ordained in 1974 and began his ecclesiastical career with a curacy at Kirkheaton. From 1979 until 1986 he was Vicar of Ovenden, and also in the latter part of his...
- Bishop of Bolton - The Rt. Rev. Michael Frederick GearMichael Frederick GearThe Rt Rev. Michael Frederick Gear is a former Suffragan Bishop of Doncaster. He was born on 27 November 1934 and educated at St John's College, Durham...
, former Suffragan Bishop of DoncasterBishop of DoncasterThe Bishop of Doncaster is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Sheffield, in the Province of York, England. The title takes its name after the town of Doncaster in South Yorkshire. The see is currently vacant following the retirement of the Rt Revd... - Rt Revd John GladwinJohn GladwinJohn Warren Gladwin is the former Bishop of Chelmsford in the Church of England. He stands in the open evangelical tradition.Born in 1942, he was educated at Hertford Grammar School and Churchill College, Cambridge . His ministerial training was at Cranmer Hall, Durham . He was ordained deacon in...
, former Bishop of Chelmsford - Gavin HewittGavin HewittGavin Hewitt is a British journalist and presenter, currently BBC News's Europe Editor, a post he has held since September 2009.-Life and career:...
- Special Correspondent for BBC NewsBBC NewsBBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online... - The Rt. Rev Robert PatersonRobert Paterson (clergy)Robert Mar Erskine Paterson MA MLC is Bishop of Sodor and Man, in the Church of England.-Life:He was educated and trained at St John's College and Cranmer Hall, Durham....
, Bishop of Sodor and ManBishop of Sodor and ManThe Bishop of Sodor and Man is the Ordinary of the Diocese of Sodor and Man in the Province of York in the Church of England. The diocese covers the Isle of Man. The see is in the town of Peel where the bishop's seat is located at the Cathedral Church of St German, elevated to cathedral status on 1... - Nick RamsayNick RamsayNick Ramsay is a British Conservative politician who has been a Member of the Welsh Assembly since 2007. He currently represents the constituency of Monmouth.-Early life:...
AM, Conservative Assembly MemberNational Assembly for WalesThe National Assembly for Wales is a devolved assembly with power to make legislation in Wales. The Assembly comprises 60 members, who are known as Assembly Members, or AMs...
for Monmouth and Shadow Finance Minister - The Rt. Rev John SaxbeeJohn SaxbeeJohn Charles Saxbee was the 71st Bishop of Lincoln in the Church of England between 23 March 2002 and 31 January 2011. He was introduced to the House of Lords as a new Lord Spiritual on 1 July 2008 together with former Director-General of MI5, Baroness Manningham-Buller.-Education and...
, Bishop of LincolnBishop of LincolnThe Bishop of Lincoln is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Lincoln in the Province of Canterbury.The present diocese covers the county of Lincolnshire and the unitary authority areas of North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. The Bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral... - The Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Seagrave Pearson, Anglican Bishop of LancasterAnglican Bishop of LancasterThe Anglican Bishop of Lancaster is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Blackburn, in the Province of York, England. The title takes its name after the traditional county town of Lancaster in Lancashire. The incumbent is The Rt Revd Geoff Pearson...
- Jack Plumley, Sir Herbert Thompson Professor of EgyptologySir Herbert Thompson Professor of EgyptologyThe Sir Herbert Thompson Professor of Egyptology represents the chair of Egyptology at the University of Cambridge, England.*Stephen Glanville, 1946–1956*Jack Plumley, 1957–1977*John Ray, 1977–present...
, Cambridge - Rt Revd Michael TurnbullMichael TurnbullAnthony Michael Arnold Turnbull was the Bishop of Durham in the Church of England from 1994 until 2003.Turnbull was born in Wombwell, South Yorkshire. He was a student at Keble College, Oxford, graduating in 1958. He prepared for ordained ministry at Cranmer Hall and St John's College, University...
, Bishop of Durham (1994–2003) - The Reverend Richard TurnbullRichard TurnbullRichard Duncan Turnbull is the Principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, an Evangelical Anglican theological college which is part of the University of Oxford.-Biography:...
, Principal of Wycliffe Hall, OxfordWycliffe Hall, OxfordWycliffe Hall is a Church of England theological college and a Permanent Private Hall of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. It is located on the Banbury Road in central North Oxford, between Norham Gardens and Norham Road.-Overview:... - The Rt Rev. Richard BlackburnRichard Blackburn (bishop)Richard Finn Blackburn is Suffragan Bishop of Warrington , in the Church of England.-Early life and education:...
, Bishop of WarringtonBishop of WarringtonThe Bishop of Warrington is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Liverpool, in the Province of York, England. The title takes its name after the town of Warrington in Cheshire.-List of the Bishops of Warrington:... - The Rt Rev. Justin WelbyJustin WelbyJustin Portal Welby became the Bishop of Durham and the fourth most senior cleric in the Church of England on 29 September 2011. He was previously the Dean of Liverpool Cathedral.-Early life and education:...
, Bishop of Durham - James Rutherford - Baritone
External links
- St John's College official website
- St John's College JHJCR undergraduate student organisation
- College Chapel Choir The Website of the College Chapel Choir