All Saints' Church, Matlock Bank facts for kids
Quick facts for kids All Saints’ Church, Matlock Bank |
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All Saints’ Church, Matlock Bank
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 All Saints’ Church, Matlock Bank
Location in Derbyshire
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| 53°08′37.3″N 1°33′19″W / 53.143694°N 1.55528°W | |
| Location | Matlock, Derbyshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | allsaintsmatlock.org.uk |
| History | |
| Dedication | All Saints |
| Consecrated | 17 September 1884 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed |
| Architect(s) | Thomas Henry Healey |
| Groundbreaking | 31 August 1882 |
| Completed | 15 April 1884 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Matlock |
| Deanery | Carsington |
| Archdeaconry | Chesterfield |
| Diocese | Derby |
| Province | Canterbury |
All Saints’ Church, Matlock Bank is a beautiful old church in Matlock, Derbyshire, England. It is part of the Church of England. This church is so special that it's listed as Grade II listed, which means it's an important historical building.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
This church has an interesting history! Before the main church was built, there was a smaller "mission room" and school. This room was designed by Mr. Skedward from Sheffield. It opened on August 17, 1875, with Captain Augustus Arkwright, who was a Member of Parliament, helping to open it.
Soon, people realized the mission room wasn't big enough for everyone. So, they started collecting money to build a new, larger church. The first stone for the new church was laid on August 31, 1882. Mr. F.C. Arkwright, from Willersley Castle, did the honors, with the Bishop of Lichfield present. The church was designed by an architect named Thomas Henry Healey from Bradford.
The church officially opened on Easter Tuesday, April 15, 1884. It was formally dedicated by Bishop George Ridding on September 17, 1884.
The original plan was to build an even bigger church. However, only the main part (the chancel) and some of the central area (the nave) were finished. A front section on the west side was added later, in 1958.
The Secret Tunnel
There's a cool old tunnel that starts from the church! It used to run to the nearby Infant’s School and then to the Junior School. This tunnel is still there today, though some parts between the church and the Infant School are blocked.
The tunnel is carved right out of the sandstone rock. It used to be lit by gas lamps. It's about 4 feet (1.2 meters) high and 2 feet (0.6 meters) wide, so only smaller people can get through it easily.
Amazing Stained Glass Windows
All Saints’ Church is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.
- One special window on the east side was designed in 1905 by Edward Burne-Jones, a very well-known artist.
- There are also several windows along the north side of the church. These were made in 1907 by a company called Heaton, Butler and Bayne.
Church Family
All Saints’ Church is part of a "joint parish." This means it shares some duties and activities with another church:
The Church Organ
The church has a large pipe organ, which is a musical instrument that makes sound using air blown through pipes. This organ was built by a company called Forster and Andrews. It was first played on December 15, 1886, by Thomas Barker Mellor from All Saints' Church, Bakewell. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.
Organ Players
- John Goddard Barker was the organist from 1889 to 1892. He had previously played the organ at Holy Trinity Church, Matlock Bath and later at All Saints' Church, Ashover.
See also
- Listed buildings in Matlock Town
