The Lindisfarne Gospels

The Lindisfarne Gospels Appeal was launched during October 2003 when businesses and organisations within Chester-le-Street were asked if they would like to make a contribution to help us reach our target of £7000 in order to purchase a facsimile for the town.

We had decided that as the original gospels were first translated into a form of early English here in Chester-le-Street, we were entitled to regain some of our history, which in the past has been overshadowed by Durham and the fact that St Cuthbert’s remains were in our first early church for 112 years before their last resting place in the Cathedral at Durham.

Thus we began our appeal, which was a rewarding experience for us all.
Donations were received from other parts of the country by people who have moved away for whatever reason and still keep us in their thoughts by signing themselves “Cestrian” other donors sending their contributions in memory of a son, daughter or husband, no matter how small they were all valued.

The appeal raised over £10,000 and having at last achieved our goal, the facsimile of “The Lindisfarne Gospels” was purchased and is now on display in the Parish Church of St Mary and St Cuthbert.