St Anne's Church, Derby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Anne’s Church, Derby |
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![]() St Anne’s Church, Derby
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52°55′41″N 1°29′25.7″W / 52.92806°N 1.490472°W | |
Location | Derby |
Country | England |
Denomination | Church of England |
Churchmanship | Anglo-Catholic |
History | |
Dedication | St Anne |
Architecture | |
Heritage designation | Grade II* listed |
Designated | 3 July 1998 |
Architect(s) | F.W. Hunt |
Style | Gothic Revival |
Groundbreaking | 1871 |
Completed | 1872 |
Specifications | |
Length | 95 feet (29 m) |
Width | 26 feet (7.9 m) |
Height | 50 feet (15 m) |
Bells | 1 |
Administration | |
Parish | St Anne, Derby |
Deanery | Derby North |
Archdeaconry | Derby |
Diocese | Diocese of Derby |
St Anne's Church, Derby is a historic Church of England church located in Derby, England. It is a special building because it is listed as Grade II* listed, meaning it is a very important historical site. The church is dedicated to St Anne, who is traditionally known as the mother of the Virgin Mary.
Contents
Building a Church: A Look at St Anne's History
The story of St Anne's Church began a long time ago. The first stone was placed on October 24, 1871. This was the start of building the church. It was officially opened and blessed on July 26, 1872, by the Bishop of Lichfield.
How Big is St Anne's Church?
When it was finished, the church was quite large. It measured about 95 feet (29 meters) long and 26 feet (8 meters) wide. The roof reached a height of 50 feet (15 meters) at its highest point.
What is the Church Made Of?
The church was built using strong, red bricks from a place called Spondon. For special parts like the pillars inside and the fancy window designs, stone was used. The person who designed the church was an architect named F.W. Hunt from London. The company that built it was Robert Bridgart of Derby.
The Church Bell
A bell was also added to the church. It was made by a company called Mears and Stainbank in London. This bell was quite heavy, weighing almost 6 hundredweight (about 672 pounds or 305 kilograms)!
A Church That Reopened
For a short time, St Anne's Church had to close its doors in 2013. This happened because they couldn't find a new priest after Father Michael Brinkworth retired in 2006. But the community worked hard to reopen it! After just over a year, the church welcomed people back. This was possible because some volunteer clergy (priests) offered to help lead services every two weeks.
What Kind of Church is St Anne's?
St Anne's Church follows a specific tradition within the Church of England called Anglo-Catholic. This means they have some practices that are similar to those in the Roman Catholic Church. The church also has a special arrangement for its bishop, receiving support from the Bishop of Oswestry, who is currently Paul Thomas.
Who Leads the Church Today?
The main priest at St Anne's Church is Father Giles Orton. He is helped by Father Bob Boyle and Father Michael Brinkworth.
The Church Organ
When the church first opened, they used a borrowed organ. This was a temporary solution until they could raise enough money to buy their own.
A New Organ for the Church
A new, permanent organ was finally installed in 1878. It was built by a company called Brindley & Foster. This new organ was a big investment, costing £370 at the time. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register. However, this original organ is no longer in the church today.
Who Played the Organ?
Many talented people have played the organ at St Anne's Church over the years. Here are some of the organists:
- J.E. Burgess (around 1883)
- Arthur Timms (1899 - 1930)
- Frank Bint (1930s)
- Raymond Oxley (around 1970 - 2008)
- Andrew Storer (2008 - )
- Tom Corfield (2021 - )