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 historic church located in the beautiful Peak District National Park in England. It is a Grade II listed building, which means it's an important historical site that needs to be protected. This church was originally built as a private chapel for a large house nearby called Rowtor Hall. It belongs to the Church of England.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
The church was built around the year 1700. A man named Thomas Eyre, who owned the land and lived in Rowtor Hall, had it built. It was meant to be a private chapel just for his estate.
When Thomas Eyre passed away in 1717, he left money to make sure a chaplain (a church leader) would always be there. This money, called an endowment, was for the chaplain to hold services twice a day and offer communion every Sunday.
Church Expansion and Features
The church was made bigger and improved in 1864. During this time, a new part called the chancel was added. It's quite unusual because it only has windows on two sides: the south and the east. The north side has no windows at all.
Inside the church walls, you can find pieces from an even older Norman church. This older church used to stand in the nearby village of Uppertown.
Stained Glass Windows
The large window at the east end of the church got beautiful stained glass in 1898. It was created by Alfred D. Hemming from London. The floor in the chancel area was also updated by the Ashford Marble Works.
Later, in 1977, the windows on the south side received new stained glass. These were designed by a famous artist named Brian Clarke. He lived in Rowtor Hall, which was then the vicarage, between 1975 and 1977. He created and gave these three special windows to the church.
Church Community and Parish
St Michael's Church is part of a larger group of churches called the Youlgreave Benefice. It shares a parish (a church's local area) with a few other churches:
- Holy Trinity Church, Stanton-in-Peak
- St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Middleton-by-Youlgreave
- All Saints’ Church, Youlgreave
The Church Organ
The church has an organ that was put in by 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.
See also
- Listed buildings in Birchover
