About Us
As one of the smallest colleges within the university, we are famed for being among the friendliest, with a strong sense of a family and community.
St John’s College is like no other Durham college. Founded in 1909 and set in a series of beautiful listed buildings in the heart of Durham city, our community enjoys stunning views of Durham Cathedral and boasts gardens and lawns stretching down to the River Wear. We are one of the smallest colleges, renowned for our lively and welcoming atmosphere. St John’s fosters a supportive community that will positively challenge, develop, and grow your individual strengths. The College has a degree of independence within the University, both financially and in its governance. Our students study for University degrees alongside members of other colleges, but we have the freedom to do things a little differently.
A strong sense of community
We are home to a family of about 500 undergraduates and 160 postgraduates from all disciplines and backgrounds. We also have around 80 members of Cranmer Hall, a thriving theological college where future church leaders are educated and formed. As one of the smallest colleges within the university, we are famed for being among the friendliest, with a strong sense of a family and community. The small size of our College means that it is easy to get involved in College life: from the running of our College through the Common Rooms, to student sports teams, societies and committees. We strive for academic excellence and have academic teaching and research staff based in our College.
Traditional yet forward-thinking
At St John’s we preserve collegiate traditions. Johnians matriculate in our 12th-century chapel, in addition to the Cathedral; we wear gowns for weekly formal dinners, and still say grace in Latin. And yet, our College has a distinctly progressive, egalitarian outlook: we were one of the first colleges of Durham University to become co-educational (1973), and the first co-educational college to appoint a female Principal (1978). We believe that to lead is to serve. All our different staff teams work closely together with students to create the unique John’s experience and to support charity and community projects. Throughout the year, our College’s Christian ethos is reflected by this warm and welcoming community.
Our History
St John’s College was founded in 1909 as a theological college for the training of Anglican ordinands. In 1919 we became a full constituent college of the University and expanded and flourished over the following decades. In 1958 Cranmer Hall was established as a distinct but integral part of our college to train ministers for ordination, while members of John’s Hall would study for Durham University degrees in all disciplines, as they do today.
St John’s has always been progressive and inclusive in its outlook and, in 1966, we became the first Church of England theological college to train men and women together. This trend continued, and John’s became the first college in the entirety of Durham University to become co-educational, in 1973. Our first female Principal, Ruth Etchells, was appointed in 1978.
Our College has a strong history with the Fairtrade movement. Richard Adams, St John’s alumni and founder of Traidcraft, started selling Fairtrade products from a window out onto the Bailey with fellow St John’s students in the 1960s. Students continue to be resourceful and ethically minded, and this legacy is celebrated each year at Fairtrade formals and special events.
Our buildings, mainly townhouses dating to the Georgian period, also have a rich history.
Dame Elizabeth Bowes (1651-1736) lived at 4 South Bailey and is buried in the Bowes family vault at the Church of St Mary the Less. She had ten children and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother was descended from her third son, George Bowes.
Prince Charles unveiled a commemorative plaque honouring his ancestor Dame Elizabeth Bowes at St John’s College, during his visit to Durham City on Thursday, 15 February 2018. The Prince’s visit began at the Church of St Mary the Less, our College chapel where he visited the memorial stone of Dame Elizabeth Bowes. The commemorative plaque is placed in honour of Dame Elizabeth at Bowes House, her former family home. Bowes House now houses student accommodation and special function rooms.
| List of Principals | List of Cranmer Wardens |
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1909 – 1911 Sidney Nowell Rostron 1911 – 1919 Dawson Dawson-Walker 1919 – 1945 Charles Steel Wallis 1945 – 1953 Ronald Williams 1954 – 1955 G.J. Cumming (acting) 1954 – 1969 Jim P. Hickinbotham 1970 – 1978 John C. P. Cockerton 1978 – 1988 Ruth Etchells 1988 – 1992 Anthony Thiselton 1992 – 1999 David V. Day 1999 – 2006 Stephen Sykes 2006 – present David Wilkinson |
1968 – 1970: John C.P. Cockerton 1971 – 1979: Tim Yeats 1979 – 1983: Christopher Byworth 1983 – 1992: Ian Cundy 1993 – 1996: John Pritchard 1996 – 2004: Steven Croft 2005 – 2011: Anne Dyer 2011 – 2016: Mark Tanner 2017 – present: Philip Plyming
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