St Alkmund's Church, Duffield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Alkmund’s Church, Duffield |
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St Alkmund’s Church, Duffield
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| 52°58′51.96″N 1°28′51.24″W / 52.9811000°N 1.4809000°W | |
| Location | Duffield |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | stalkmundsduffield.co.uk |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Alkmund |
| Specifications | |
| Bells | 10 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Duffield |
| Deanery | Duffield |
| Archdeaconry | Derby |
| Diocese | Diocese of Derby |
Saint Alkmund's Church is a special old church located in Duffield, Derbyshire, England. It's a parish church, which means it serves the local community, and it belongs to the Church of England.
Contents
A Look at History
This church has a very long history, going back more than a thousand years! It sits right by the River Derwent, just south of Duffield. Long ago, the area this church served, called the Parish of Duffield, was much bigger than it is today. It even covered a large area known as Duffield Frith.
Why is the Church Here?
You might wonder why the church isn't right in the middle of Duffield village. It's thought that its location was chosen because it was close to Duffield Bridge. This bridge was important for travelers and pilgrims who were on their journeys.
Building and Changes Over Time
The church building you see today mostly dates from the 14th century. That's over 600 years ago! It has been carefully repaired and updated a few times. In 1847, a person named James Piers St Aubyn helped restore it. Later, in 1896–97, John Oldrid Scott also worked on its restoration.
One interesting feature is the weathercock on top of the church. It was put there in 1719 by a famous ironsmith named Robert Bakewell.
Special Status
St Alkmund's Church is a very important historical building. It has a special status called Grade I listed. This means it's considered a building of exceptional interest and is protected.
Church Connections
St Alkmund's Church works closely with St Paul's Church, Little Eaton. These two churches are part of the same church area, or "ecclesiastical parish." St Paul's Church was once part of the larger Duffield Frith area that St Alkmund's used to serve.
The Church Bells
St Alkmund's Church has a wonderful set of bells. During a restoration project in 1887, the church had eight bells. But then, Sir Arthur Heywood, 3rd Baronet gave a generous gift that allowed two more bells to be added. This meant the church now had ten bells! It's quite special because not many churches outside of big cities have so many bells.
The Organ
Inside the church, there is a beautiful pipe organ. It was made by a company called Cousans in 1972. This organ helps to make music during church services and other events. You can find more details about this specific organ on the National Pipe Organ Register if you're interested in how it works.
See Also
- Grade I listed churches in Derbyshire
- Grade I listed buildings in Derbyshire
- Listed buildings in Duffield, Derbyshire
