St Mary and St Laurence's Church, Bolsover facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary and St Laurence’s Church, Bolsover |
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St Mary and St Laurence’s Church, Bolsover
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 St Mary and St Laurence’s Church, Bolsover
Location in Derbyshire
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| 53°13′39.3″N 01°17′27″W / 53.227583°N 1.29083°W | |
| Location | Bolsover, Derbyshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Mary the Virgin and St Laurence |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* listed |
| Architect(s) | Louis Ambler |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Bolsover |
| Deanery | Hardwick |
| Archdeaconry | East Derbyshire |
| Diocese | Derby |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Mary and St Laurence's Church is a historic church located in Bolsover, Derbyshire, England. It is a Grade II* listed building, which means it's considered a very important historical site. This church is part of the Church of England.
Contents
History of the Church
This church has a long and interesting past, dating back to the 1200s and 1300s. Over the centuries, it has seen many changes and even faced some challenges.
Early Days and First Restoration
The church was first built in the Middle Ages. In 1624, a special part called the Cavendish chapel was added. In 1877, the church closed for a big renovation. An architect named John Brightmore Mitchell-Withers oversaw the work. They rebuilt parts of the church, added an organ, and made the inside look new. The floor was tiled, and new seats were put in. The roofs were fixed and covered with red tiles. This restoration cost about £6,000, which was a lot of money back then! The church reopened on July 16, 1878.
Fires and Rebuilding
The church has unfortunately been damaged by fire more than once. In January 1897, a fire destroyed much of the church. Luckily, the old Cavendish chapel from 1624 was saved. An architect named Louis Ambler helped rebuild the church. The rebuilding started on September 9, 1897, and the church was ready again by September 21, 1898.
Another fire caused serious damage on January 13, 1960. The eastern part of the church, including the vestry and the main altar, was destroyed. Half of the roof was also damaged.
Cavendish Chapel
The Cavendish chapel was built around 1624. It has a special roof style from that time, called Jacobean. This chapel was made to hold the remains of the Cavendish family, who were an important family. Inside, you can find monuments and memorials to several family members, including:
- Charles Cavendish, who passed away in 1617. He was the son of Bess of Hardwick and Sir William Cavendish.
- Henry Cavendish, 2nd Duke of Newcastle, his wife, and one of their daughters. Their monument was put up in 1727.
- Three members of the Cavendish Bentinck family, honored with a stone monument from the 1800s.
Church Organs
The church has had several organs over the years, which are large musical instruments used during services.
- A new organ was put in the church in 1867.
- After the 1897 fire, a new organ was installed by Mr. C. Lowe of Sheffield.
- This organ was later replaced in 1921 by a new one from Brindley and Co of Sheffield. This one cost £1,500.
- The organ used today was built in 1962 by Henry Willis & Sons. In 1992, George Sixsmith updated its internal system.
Church Bells
The church has a set of 8 bells, called a "peal." These bells were made by John Taylor and Co of Loughborough. Six of the bells were made in 1898, and the other two were added in 1902.
Graveyard
The church graveyard is a place where people are buried. It has many old headstones. One interesting headstone belongs to Thomas Hinde, who was a clock and watchmaker and passed away in 1836. His gravestone has a funny message that plays on his job: "Here lies in a horizontal position the outside case of Thomas Hinde, Clock and Watchmaker, who departed this life wound up in the hope of being taken in hand by his Maker and being thoroughly cleaned, repaired and set a-going in the world to come. On the 15th of August 1836 in the 19th year of his life." This means he hoped God would fix him up like a broken clock and give him a new start in the afterlife!
See also
- Grade II* listed buildings in Bolsover (district)
- Listed buildings in Old Bolsover
