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 historic parish church located in Duffield, Derbyshire, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This ancient church stands proudly on the banks of the River Derwent.
Contents
History of St Alkmund's Church
How Old is the Church?
St Alkmund's Church is very old, dating back to the first thousand years after Christ. This means it was built sometime before the year 1000! It is the main church for the area of Duffield. It also has a special connection with St Paul's Church in Little Eaton.
In the past, the area covered by the Duffield church was much bigger than it is today. This larger area was known as Duffield Frith. The church is a bit far from the center of Duffield village. People think this is because it was built near Duffield Bridge. This bridge was used by many travelers and pilgrims long ago.
Building and Changes Over Time
The church building you see today was mostly built in the 1300s. It has been repaired and updated several times. Famous architects like James Piers St Aubyn worked on it in 1847. Later, John Oldrid Scott also helped restore it between 1896 and 1897.
The church has a special weathercock on top. This weathercock was put there in 1719 by a skilled metalworker named Robert Bakewell.
The church is considered very important historically. It is a Grade I listed building. This means it has special protection because of its age and unique features.
Church Bells
The Ten Bells of St Alkmund's
During a big restoration project in 1887, the church's set of eight bells was made even bigger. Two more bells were added, thanks to a gift from Sir Arthur Heywood, 3rd Baronet. This means St Alkmund's now has a total of ten bells! It's quite rare for a church outside of very large towns to have so many bells.
The Organ
Music in the Church
St Alkmund's Church has a beautiful pipe organ. This organ was made by a company called Cousans in 1972. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register, which lists many organs across the country.
See also
- Grade I listed churches in Derbyshire
- Grade I listed buildings in Derbyshire
- Listed buildings in Duffield, Derbyshire
