Brancepeth Castle

This spring, I called at Brancepeth Castle, which is not far from the city of Durham. Much of it was closed on account of its use by a filming crew and the bailey had a number of interesting props stored there. A lot of the walls were Regency, though the rougher, medieval stonework could also be seen, especially around the outside wall and back.

Its history, as one might imagine, is long and colourful, with the castle’s ownership exchanging hands on account of rebellion, war and financial decline, between various earls, monarchs, knights and High Sheriffs. In the Second World War it became headquarters to the famous Durham Light Infantry regiment, a suitably grand and martial location for men about to fight and die for king and country. Yet in the Great War, it served as a hospital, a place of recovery for the injured and convalescing. Would its battlements and towers be a suitable backdrop to those recovering from wounds and fears?

The church of Jesus Christ is both a holy army (non-violent, and battling false ideas and vain philosophies) as well as a hospital (offering healing and hope to the damaged and the battered). Whether worldly, godless living has taken its toll, or false teaching and domineering religious leaders have manipulated and abused, one may come and rest ahead of the final, homeward call. I pray that Salem Chapel, and faithful churches about the land, will stand against evil while still offering care for the weary and tired.