The area can be distinguished into two parts, old Silksworth, the original village and township which has existed since the early middle ages, and New Silksworth, the industrial age colliery village which expanded north west of the original settlement.

[2] The area of Silksworth has been subject to human activity since the Bronze Age, with archaeological sites of ancient barrows having been discovered on the surrounding hills.

[4] The first reference to the location appeared in the Middle Ages and is first referenced in a list of appendages of South Bishopwearmouth in King Æthelstan’s gift to the See of Durham in 930 AD.

The increase in population was mainly due to the migration of people to the area seeking work at the new Silksworth colliery.

In 1989 the house became a students’ hall of residence for Sunderland University, and from about 2000 to 2006 was occupied by the Lazarus Foundation, a drug rehabilitation charity.

The latest proposal for redevelopment of Doxford House was to restore the property back into a private family residence.

The building was used as a meeting place for the miners and their families, it was also used for social events, wedding receptions, engagement parties etc.

The Church played a large part in the formation of the new mining community of Silksworth with the input of miners and their families.

The funding for the building of the church and rectory was provided by Priscilla Maria Beckwith of Silksworth House.