Community

Our community thrives on shared experiences and collective growth.

We are a vibrant and diverse Christian community, members of Christ’s body who need each other in our diversity to learn and flourish as disciples of Christ. The invitation and challenge here is to meet people who are both like and unlike you, from whom you will learn much, and who will become friends for life. We begin each new year by reaffirming our Community Covenant, a commitment to grow in the fruit of the Spirit in our shared life together.


Our community life centres around our rhythms of prayer, worship, fellowship and eating together. Set within St John’s College, Cranmer students also benefit from sharing community with undergraduates and post-graduates from across different academic departments within Durham University. 


The Cranmer Hall community contains both staff and students on a range of academic and formational pathways. We have students who are single, partnered and married, from all stages, backgrounds and walks of life. The children of students and staff are also a very welcome part of the college community, with regular worship, social and family events offering the opportunity for connection to college life. Community life is shaped by those within the community and a rich variety of events and groups have flourished in recent years including in our student-led community garden, a competitive ultimate frisbee team and groups supporting theological and ecclesiological interests. 

Students with children

Children are a really important and valued part of our community, and we are constantly reviewing and developing ways in which this community can always be a safe, enjoyable and nurturing space for them in their faith and personal growth.

For example, over the last term we have developed our All Age services (every Monday) to make sure that they are truly intergenerational and that children are always invited to be part of the planning and the leading of these services. Every term one of our All Age services is completely planned and led by our children, and we believe that they have something very special to offer to the rest of the community in growing faith and fellowship. Before our All Age Worship service, we eat dinner together. Children (and partners of ordinands) are welcome to eat in college up to four times a week as well.


We are also very aware of how difficult settling into a new home can be and so we have a ‘Welcome’ session and a ‘Goodbye’ session with our children to help with the major transitions of joining and then leaving our community.


We have good accommodation for families in close proximity to each other in order to develop relationships and support from day one. Durham is surrounded by schools which are nationally recognised and there is an array of good preschool/nursery provision in the city for young families. There are many local primary and secondary schools in the centre of Durham (both Church and Community schools) which are mostly all in walking distance from college, and our students have always found it an easy and smooth process in finding a school place for their children.

Four people holding hands, walking and smiling along a plain white wall.

There are also some excellent nurseries and childminders in and around Durham City – if you would like more information please do get in touch with us.


If any of our ordinands take maternity leave, we work with them beforehand to discuss ongoing pastoral care throughout their maternity leave and what keeping in touch with their learning and praying community might look like. We also work closely with the ordinand to develop a good process for their return to training, and are committed to finding options that are flexible and based around what would work best for the ordinand and their family. We also welcome breastfeeding in college and have facilities for expressing and storing milk.


If you have any questions, please do get in touch.

Students with partners

During each year we run a programme called Together in Ministry for our students and their partners, to explore different issues that couples in ministry might face such as such as time management, spiritual growth in a family, or handling boundaries.

We also have a student-led group called SPICE which is for partners of ordinands. Here you will find friendship, support, fun and fellowship. The group exists to support people as they work out the implications of their partners’ call to ordained ministry.


Partners of students and staff are also welcome to participate in the learning opportunities at Cranmer Hall. You can do this in two ways:

  • Join in individual modules without charge by auditing them (participating in the class but not doing the assessment).
  • Study for one of the courses we offer. All courses can be studied part- or full-time. Generous bursaries are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, on application.


Partners are also very welcome to attend some sessions during Induction week, in addition to our Quiet Days throughout the year, one of which is normally held in the Cathedral, and the other on Holy Island.

Tree branches with green leaves and apples in front of a brick building and blue awning

Cranmer stories

Stories from some of our students and leavers about what they value most about Cranmer Hall.

Linzi Blundell

Community Life.

Nicholas Lebey

Placements and UKME Perspectives.

Emma Walters

Being an Ordinand at Cranmer Hall.

Bar

The college has a well stocked cellar bar which is made good use of by students.


Sport and Fitness

Sport is very much part of our life in college.

There are many opportunities to enjoy sport and keep fit at Cranmer Hall.


Boat Club

St John’s College has a fine history of rowing; the Boat Club was founded in 1910 and is one of the oldest in the university, and the college usually places very highly in intra university competitions. The Boat Club operates out of a conveniently located college boathouse on the riverbank just below the college.

St John's College Gym

The well-equipped Gym is currently in the Cruddas building. It has a range of gym equipment, from rowing machines, stationary bicycles and various weights. John’s is currently building a new purpose built gym as part of its development plan.


Book/Reserve a Gym Room Session

Due to the demand for the facilities, it is recommended that a session is reserved. This is not compulsory but will guarantee you full access to the gym for an hour.

Please call Reception at 0191 334 3500 to reserve a session.

*Please note, there is a maximum of 2 hours per member, per day.



Conditions of use
St John’s College Fitness Room and Gym Room are facilities available to those members who have obtained a compulsory induction for both rooms from the college representative. These facilities can only be used when at least 2 members are present at all times during the session (The gym has a maximum of 2 members per session).


Forming Christlike leaders for today's church

Book a call or visit

Come and explore the campus, talk to current staff and students, and see how Cranmer can suit you.