St Michael's Church, Birchover facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Michael’s Church, Birchover |
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| Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, Saint Michael and All Angels | |
| Rowtor Chapel | |
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St Michael’s Church, Birchover
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| 53°9′20.2″N 1°38′54.7″W / 53.155611°N 1.648528°W | |
| Location | Birchover |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | Church of Jesus |
| Dedication | St Michael |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed |
| Designated | 12 July 1967 |
| Completed | circa 1717 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of floors | 1 |
| Materials | gritstone |
| Bells | 1 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Birchover |
| Benefice | Youlgrave with Middleton, Stanton-in-Peak and Birchover |
| Deanery | Bakewell and Eyam |
| Archdeaconry | Derbyshire Peaks and Dales |
| Diocese | Diocese of Derby |
| Province | Derbyshire |
St Michael's Church in Birchover, also known as Rowtor Chapel, is a special old church in the village of Birchover, Derbyshire. It's part of the Church of England and is considered a "Grade II listed" building. This means it's an important historical place that needs to be protected. The church is located inside the beautiful Peak District National Park. It was originally built a long time ago as a private chapel for a nearby big house called Rowtor Hall.
Contents
History of St Michael's Church
The Church's Beginning
The church was built around the year 1700. A man named Thomas Eyre, who owned a lot of land and lived at Rowtor Hall, had it built as his family's private chapel. When he passed away in 1717, he left money to make sure a chaplain (a church leader) would always be there. This chaplain was meant to hold services twice a day and give communion every Sunday.
Changes Over Time
St Michael's Church was made bigger and rebuilt in 1864. During this time, a new part called the chancel was added. The church is quite unusual because it only has windows on two sides: the south and the east. The north side of the church has no windows at all. Inside the walls, you can find pieces of an even older church. This older church was from the Norman period and used to stand in the nearby village of Uppertown.
Beautiful Stained Glass Windows
The large east window was fitted with colorful stained glass in 1898. It was made by an artist named Alfred D. Hemming from London. The floor in the chancel area was also updated by the Ashford Marble Works. Later, in 1977, new stained glass windows were added to the south side of the church. These were designed by a famous painter named Brian Clarke. He had lived in Rowtor Hall, which was then the vicarage, between 1975 and 1977. He created these three two-light windows especially for the church and gave them as a gift.
Parish Status and Connections
St Michael's Church is part of a group of churches called the Youlgreave Benefice. This means it works closely with other churches in the area. It is in a joint parish with:
- Holy Trinity Church, Stanton-in-Peak
- St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Middleton-by-Youlgreave
- All Saints’ Church, Youlgreave
The Church Organ
The organ inside the church was put in by a company called Wadsworth and Brothers. It was first played on January 29, 1905. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register, which keeps records of church organs.
See also
- Listed buildings in Birchover
