St Mary's Church, Crich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary’s Church, Crich |
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St Mary’s Church, Crich
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| 53°5′15.92″N 1°28′53.63″W / 53.0877556°N 1.4815639°W | |
| Location | Crich |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | crichstmarys.org.uk |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Mary the Virgin |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Completed | 1135 |
| Specifications | |
| Bells | 8 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Crich |
| Deanery | Alfreton |
| Archdeaconry | Chesterfield |
| Diocese | Diocese of Derby |
St Mary's Church in Crich, Derbyshire, is a very old and important church. It is a parish church that belongs to the Church of England. The church is a special building because it is a Grade I listed building. This means it is protected due to its historical importance and unique architecture.
Contents
History of the Church
Early Beginnings
The church was first built in 1135. Back then, it was known as St Michael's Church. Over many years, new parts were added to the church. These additions happened in the 1200s, 1300s, and 1400s. A newer room called a vestry was added in the 1900s.
Restoration Work
The church has been repaired and updated several times. Major restoration work took place in 1861. More work was done in 1913 by architects named Currey and Thompson. These projects helped keep the old church in good condition.
Lightning Strike in 1945
On February 5, 1945, something dramatic happened. The church was hit by lightning! This caused a fire to start inside the building. Luckily, local people quickly came to help. They used special pumps to put out the fire. Their quick actions saved the church.
Working Together
Today, St Mary's Church works closely with another church. It is part of a joint parish with All Saints' Church, South Wingfield. This means they share resources and activities.
Important Memorials
Inside St Mary's Church, you can find several old memorials. These are special monuments that remember important people from the past. Some of these include:
- Sir William de Wakebridge (around 1369)
- Godfrey Beresford (died 1513)
- John Clay (died 1633)
- German Pole (died 1588)
- German Wheatcroft (died 1857)
These memorials help us learn about the history of the area.
The Church Organ
About the Organ
For many years, St Mary's Church had a large pipe organ. This organ was built in 1913 by a company called William Hill and Son. Pipe organs are very complex musical instruments. They use air flowing through many pipes to make sound.
Organ's Journey
The details of this organ can be found in the National Pipe Organ Register. This is a list that keeps track of organs across the country. In 2012, the church decided to sell the organ. This means it likely found a new home where it could continue to be played.
More Information
If you want to learn more about important buildings like St Mary's Church, you can look up:
- Grade I listed churches in Derbyshire
- Grade I listed buildings in Derbyshire
- Listed buildings in Crich
