RAINTON (WEST), a chapelry in the parish of
HOUGHTON-le-SPRING, northern division of EASINGTON
ward, county palatine of DURHAM, 2 miles (N.E.)
from Durham, containing 1160 inhabitants. A chapel,
dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, formerly existed here, but
there are now no traces of i t; a chapel of ease, however,
was erected in 1825, and contains four hundred sittings,
of which three hundred are free, the Incorporated
Society for the enlargement of churches and chapels
having granted £200 towards defraying the expense.
There is a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists.
Two Sunday schools are attended by about
three hundred children. The population of this place
has increased of late years, in proportion to the great
extension of the neighbouring collieries.