St Mary's Church, Cromford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary’s Church, Cromford |
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St Mary’s Church, Cromford
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| Location | Cromford |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Mary the Virgin |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Designated | 22 June 1950 |
| Architect(s) | Thomas Gardner |
| Groundbreaking | 1792 |
| Completed | 1797 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Cromford |
| Deanery | Carsington |
| Archdeaconry | Derbyshire Peak & Dales |
| Diocese | Derby |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Mary's Church, Cromford is a very old and important church in Cromford, Derbyshire, England. It is a parish church that belongs to the Church of England. This church is so special that it is a Grade I listed building. This means it is protected because of its amazing history and architecture.
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History of the Church
This church was built where an older chapel used to be. A famous architect named Thomas Gardner designed the church. It was built for the people who worked at Richard Arkwright's mill in Cromford. Construction of the church took place between 1792 and 1797.
Sir Richard Arkwright, who owned the mill, passed away in 1792. He was first buried in a church in Matlock, Derbyshire. However, in 1797, his remains were moved to St Mary's Church. Many other members of his family were also buried here later on.
Church Design and Changes
The church has a main area called a nave, a special area for the altar called a chancel, a tower on the west side, and a small entrance area called a narthex. In 1858, the church was changed and updated by Henry Isaac Stevens.
The church's own website explains some of these changes. The original church had a large, open main room with the altar at the east end. In the mid-1800s, around 1858-1859, the church was completely redesigned. It was given a more "Gothic" look. The new design kept the wide main room but added a new rounded chancel and a tower. The windows were also changed, and a new roof was added. The outside walls were decorated with a special pattern called crenelation, which looks like the top of a castle wall.
Historic England, an organization that protects historic buildings, says the church has a "wide nave with lower and narrower chancel." They also note the "west tower flanked by gallery stair turrets" and a "west narthex." They describe the outside as having a "lavish free Perpendicular style," which is a fancy way of saying it has a very detailed and grand design from a specific period of architecture.
Inside the Church
The beautiful wall paintings inside the church were created by Alfred Octavius Hemming in 1898. In the same year, six tubular bells were added to the tower. New stained glass windows were also put in. The historic listing summary says that the wall paintings are the "most striking feature of the interior." It also mentions that these paintings were carefully restored in 2002 to keep them looking their best.
Parish Information
St Mary's Church is part of a joint parish. This means it shares its parish duties with another church:
The Church Organ
The church has a pipe organ that was built by William Hill. This organ dates back to 1859. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.
More to Explore
- Grade I listed churches in Derbyshire
- Grade I listed buildings in Derbyshire
- Listed buildings in Cromford
