The naming of the township was for one of the seven monks who followed the body of St Cuthbert from Lindisfarne to Durham. Spellings of this name Reingwald have included Reynington, Reynoton, Reynton, and Rayntona. The area belonged to the Prior and convent of Durham and was densely wooded, a park keeper being recorded as appointed in 1338. In 1657 Richard Marshall assigned a tenement and farm holding in West Rainton to Marmaduke Allenson. It then passed into the hands of West Rainton's more famous son – Sir John Duck, 1st Baronet – a Dick Whittington of the North East of England. He owned and built Rainton Hall around the year 1688. The following is from History, Topography and Directory of Durham, Whellan, London, 1894; "The village of West Rainton is about four miles north-east of Durham, and formerly contained an ancient chapel with chantry dedicated to the Virgin Mary; some of the old stones may be seen in the different buildings in the village. The Old Hall, situated in the centre of the village, was built about 1690, by Sir Jno. Buck, now in a state of dilapidation, and let in tenements occupied by pitmen. There is a library, reading, and news-room here. There are two batteries of the Second Durham Artillery Volunteers, having a drill-hall here, built by the Marquess of Londonderry in 1880, the headquarters being at Seaham Harbour."
St Mary's Church
Saint Mary's church built 1864 has a spire added in 1877 that is a prominent feature of the area visible for many miles. The spire was gifted by Sir George Elliot, 1st Baronet in memory of his daughter Elizabeth. A large granite tablet was used to record this donation and was of special interest being taken from the Great Pyramid of Giza, obtained in 1876 with the permission of the Egyptian Khedive, Isma'il Pasha; Elliot was a financial adviser to the Khedive. The church is a substantial Grade II* listed building, able to seat 500 worshippers. It contains a reredos by Antonio Salviati. Previously an ancient chapel stood nearby.
Coal mining
in the area is mentioned as early as the 12th century. In Whellan's 1894 Directory of County Durham some 1185 men and boys were employed in the Adventure, Alexandrina and Meadow pits sunk between 1817 and 1824. The coals produced were Londonderry Wallsend, Pittington Wallsend, and Londonderry Primrose, for household purposes, and the Hartley for steam purposes. The "Adventure" pit employed 389 people at its peak in 1940. Much of the newer housing in the village dates from the 1950s and was built to house the workforce for the pit as there was little other employment available locally. Although no "disasters", were reported at Adventure, 23 lost their lives there. The pit was closed in 1978. Nearby, the Leamside line railway, now disused, is still in place.
Local facilities
A mile to the west can be found the remains of Finchale Priory sacked by Henry VIII during the dissolution of the Monasteries. To the south, in a wooded area is an area owned by the Moor House scouts group. It is a site providing accommodation and adventure challenges and sleeps up to 38 youngsters.
