Open House on 15th December
December 2012 will mark the 50th anniversary since the opening of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Newton Aycliffe. During this time the Church has provided a place of worship to it’s members and the general public, in addition to providing many social events.
As the membership of the Church has grown over the past half century the Church has worked with many of the local authorities and charities to help those in the Newton Aycliffe area. These activities have included annual ‘Helping Hands’ days and a service project this year, in conjunction with Great Aycliffe Town Council, to celebrate the diamond jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen. This allowed members of the Church to assist in several improvements within the town.
While the membership has grown significantly over the past 50 years, both in Newton Aycliffe and globally we know that there are many who do not know much about this beautiful building in Newton Aycilffe, the facilties it has to offer to the general public and the beliefs of the Church.
We wish to extend a warm and open invitation to all to come to an Open House on Saturday 15th December between 12pm and 4pm. This will include tours of the building, displays on the basic beliefs of the Church and opportunities to see our Family History Centre which is open to the general public 2 days each week, providing excellent facilties to assist in finding your ancestors.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have the largest collection of genealogical and historical records in the world and these are available to view through this Family History Centre.
The Open House will be followed in the evening with a celebration, and as we approach the Christmas season to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, we would also extend an invitation to our annual Christmas Carol Service. Everyone is welcome to attend any of these events.
The Church initially met in the Over Sixties Club. Two potential sites were identified – the current site on Shafto Way and the present site of the British Legion Club on McMillan Road.
The ground breaking ceremony was held on Satuday 20th May, 1961. Mr A. V. Williams, the General Manager of Aycliffe Development Corporation, took part. On Saturday 22nd December, 1962 Mr Williams returned to speak at a meeting to celebrate the completion of the building.
A large portion of the work was completed by unskilled labour, mainly from members of the Church under guidance of the developers.
Between November 2000 and December 2001 the building was extensively refurbished at a cost of over £1m.
The building includes the following facilties:- Chapel, Cultural/sports Hall, Stage, Classrooms, Baptismal Font, Family History Centre and General amenities
