St James' Church, Riddings facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St James’ Church, Riddings |
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St James’ Church, Riddings
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| 53°04′11.39″N 1°21′45.65″W / 53.0698306°N 1.3626806°W | |
| Location | Riddings, Derbyshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St James |
| Consecrated | 28 June 1834 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed |
| Architect(s) | Francis Octavius Bedford |
| Groundbreaking | 1832 |
| Completed | 1833 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Riddings |
| Deanery | Alfreton |
| Archdeaconry | Derby |
| Diocese | Derby |
| Province | Canterbury |
St James’ Church in Riddings is an important old church located in Derbyshire, England. It is part of the Church of England. This church is so special that it has a "Grade II listed" status. This means it is a historically important building that needs to be protected.
Contents
History of St James’ Church
Building the Church
The church was built a long time ago, between 1832 and 1833. A famous architect named Francis Octavius Bedford designed it. The Oakes family, who lived in Riddings House, had the church built.
The church was officially opened on June 28, 1834. This event is called a "consecration," which means it was blessed for religious use.
Changes and Updates
Many years later, from 1884 to 1885, the church was made even better. It was restored and made larger. A new part called a "chancel" was added. This is the area near the altar where the choir sits.
During this time, the old wooden seats, called pews, were removed. Also, the galleries on the sides of the church were taken down. A special decorated screen behind the altar, called a "reredos," was given to the church by Mr. R.G. Lomas. The church was reopened on April 8, 1885.
The Church Organ
St James’ Church has a beautiful pipe organ. It was first built around 1850 by a company called Bevington. Later, in 1885, the organ was made bigger and improved by Charles Lloyd, another organ builder. This means the church has a very old and special musical instrument.
Part of a Larger Church Family
St James’ Church is part of a group of churches in the area. It works together with Christ Church, Ironville. This means they share resources and support each other in their community work.
