History of Seaham - Stories and remarkable and memorable events in the history of Seaham The Churches of Seaham Marriages at St Andrews declared not legal (November 1899)
Heaven or Hell?
How would you feel if you were told eight years after your wedding that your marriage was not legal? Some would be delighted but I imagine that the majority would be horrified especially those who subsequently went on to have children within the marriage. This was the shocking news given to more than 300 Seaham couples and their families in November 1899.
They all married in St Andrew’s Church, Dalton-Le-Dale between 1891 and 1899. In November 1899 they were told that St Andrews church did not have the legal right to carry out marriages. This situation occurred quite innocently. The ancient church of St Andrews sits within the old ecclesiastical parish of Dalton-Le-Dale which included the town of Murton. With the sinking of the colliery at Murton and the rapid rise in population a new church, Holy Trinity, was built at Murton. This became the new parish church for the district. The Bishop’s licence and consecration were given and all rights and privileges were transferred from St Andrews to the new parish church in July 1877. The ancient church of St Andrews did not carry out any weddings for the next thirteen years. However, a major refurbishment was carried out at St Andrews church in 1890. Thereafter, marriages once again began to be solemnised in the refurbished church at St Andrews until it was realised in 1899 that these marriages were not legal.
The Bishop was powerless in this matter. The Vicar of St Andrews appealed to the Registrar General for a resolution. Finally, after two years of agonising uncertainty an Act of Parliament - the Marriages Legislation Bill of 1901 - received Royal Assent and this legalised all marriages solemnized at St Andrews church between 12th July 1877 and the passing of the Act.
This finally resolved all difficulties and issues resulting in celebrations and relief from those couples involved – well, at least most of them!
The article announcing the news to the 300 couples can be read below: -
Sunderland Echo 9th November 1899
Photo credit Fred Cooper
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