The Very Rev. John Treadgold (1931-2015)

The Very Rev. John Treadgold (1931-2015)

The Very Rev. John Treadgold former vicar of St. Cuthbert’s, Darlington (1974-1981)died peacefully on 15th February aged 83.

JohnTreadgold studied at Nottingham University and Wells Theological College. He became a Deacon in 1959 and a Priest the following year. His first appointment was as a Vicar Choral at Southwell Minster, where he served from 1959 to 1964, when he was appointed Rector of Wollaton in Nottingham. In 1961 he became Chaplain to the 5th/8thBattalion, the Sherwood Foresters T.A. His association with the Territorial Army continued until 1974 when he was appointed to St. Cuthbert’s, Darlington.

His time at St. Cuthbert’s was one of change and development.

From Advent Sunday 1974 the Parish Communion replaced Matins as the main Sunday service. This brought to a head discussions about the position of the altar. The Re-ordering involved removing three rows of pews either side of the nave and putting the choir stalls in their place; the pulpit was repositioned and the paved area extended to accommodate a new altar and rails. Mr. Ronald Sims of George Pace Architects of York designed the Re-ordering and the new furniture.

Raising money for the church then, as now, took much time and effort. Each November there was a Family Giving Day. In 1978 a Flower Festival on the theme of ‘God in Creation’ raised the money for eight new clear windows in the transepts; the following year a legacy from Mrs. Marian Scorer enabled the church to install new lighting and an amplification system. New boilers were also installed during this time.

The biggest single change in the life of St. Cuthbert’s in the Revd. Treadgold’s time was the building of the Church Centre. In the late 1960’s the Local Authority made public its scheme for the inner ring road. This, if constructed, would mean the demolition of the Church Hall in Victoria Road. The parish did not regret the demise of the Church Hall, but where to put its replacement was the great question. Eventually it was decided to use part of the churchyard.

When the building was completed a grand opening was planned for October 1977, H.R.H.the Duchess of Kent to officiate. Unfortunately the Duchess was taken ill and her visit cancelled. To this day, the building has never been officially opened.

In 1981 John Treadgold was appointed a Canon Residentiary at St. George’s Chapel Windsor and Chaplain of Windsor Great Park. In 1989 he became Dean of Chichester Cathedral, a post he held until his retirement in 2001.

Writing at the time of John Treadgold’s leaving the parish, Bill Hoskinson, senior warden, stated ‘he had a great organizing ability and a flair for the great occasion’. Above all he will be remembered for broadening the ministry of the church. ‘His priority was to make the town see St. Cuthbert’s as a Christian as well as an architectural presence.’

Very Rev John David Dean of Chichester. Loving husband, father and grandfather. Funeral service in Chichester Cathedral on 6th March 2015 at 3.00pm. Family flowers only but donations are welcome to Chichester Cathedral Restoration & Development Fund

Photographs Attached (taken from the book ‘A Century of Service’ Copyright St. Cuthbert’s Church.

1.Very Rev John Treadgold in 1981

2. John Treadgold (Mayor’s Chaplain) with the the then Mayor of Darlington, Sheila Brown 1978.