St John's College, Durham

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St John's College is a college of the University of Durham in England. It is one of only two 'Recognised Colleges', the other being St Chad's. This means that it is financially independent of the University and has a greater degree of administrative independence than the other, 'Maintained', colleges. However, 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, but also contains an Anglican theological college Cranmer Hall (named after Thomas Cranmer and with its own master or Warden). 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.

Contents 1 Buildings 2 History 3 Notable alumni 4 External links

[edit] Buildings

Formed from a number of Georgian houses on the Bailey between Durham Cathedral and the River Wear, its setting is spectacular. The main house of the college 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.

The college chapel, dedicated to St Mary the Less, is of Norman origin and was rebuilt in the 1840s, and was heavily 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.

[edit] History

Founded as a Church of England 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-theologicial John's Hall.

St John's was the first Church of England College to a have a woman Principal, Dr Ruth Etchells.

[edit] Notable alumni

• Richard Adams, pioneer of fair trade and founder of Traidcraft
• Rt Revd Michael Turnbull, Bishop of Durham (1994–2003)
• The late Sir Kingsley Dunham FRS (Fellow St John's Durham)
• Rt Revd John Gladwin, Bishop of Chelmsford
• Professor Douglas Davies, theologian
• Jack Plumley, Sir Herbert Thompson Professor of Egyptology, Cambridge

[edit] External links

• St John's College official website
• St John's College JCR undergraduate student organisation
• College Chapel Choir The Website of the College Chapel Choir

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