St Peter's Church, Edensor Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids St Peter’s Church, Edensor
St Peter’s Church, Edensor
Location	Edensor
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
History
Dedication	St Peter
Architecture
Heritage designation	Grade I listed
Architect(s)	George Gilbert Scott
Completed	1867
Administration
Parish	Edensor
Deanery	Bakewell and Eyam
Archdeaconry	Chesterfield
Diocese	Diocese of Derby

St Peter's Church, Edensor, is a beautiful old church in Edensor, Derbyshire, England. It is so special that it has a "Grade I listed" status. This means it is considered a building of great historical importance.

St Peter's is the closest local church to Chatsworth House. This grand house is the home of the Dukes of Devonshire, a very important family. Many members of this family are buried in the churchyard. St Peter's Church is part of a shared parish with St Anne's Church in Beeley.

The church was first built in the 1100s. It was changed a bit in the 1400s. Then, in 1867, it was almost completely rebuilt by a famous architect named George Gilbert Scott.

About the Church Building
The Churchyard and Burials
Images for kids
See also

About the Church Building

A New Home for the Village

The original village of Edensor used to be right next to Chatsworth House. But between 1838 and 1842, the 6th Duke of Devonshire decided to move it. He wanted the village to be out of sight, over a hill.

Joseph Paxton helped plan the new village and the church. The current church was built for the 7th Duke of Devonshire. It was officially opened in 1870. The church has a tall tower (called a steeple) on the west side. It also has a main hall (nave), side sections (aisles), a special area for the altar (chancel), a room for the priest (north vestry), and a small chapel on the south-east side.

Building History and Design

The church you see today, with its tall 166-foot spire, was designed by George Gilbert Scott. It was built about 25 years after the new village was finished. This new church replaced an older one that had a shorter, wider tower.

The Derbyshire Council says that the old Edensor Church was taken down and rebuilt in 1867. Some parts of the very old "Norman" church (from the 11th and 12th centuries) were used in the new building. However, very little of the original Norman church remains.

Two features might be from that earlier church. The main hall (nave) has arches separating it from the side aisles. Four of these arches belonged to the old church. The entrance porch, with some repairs, is also a part of the older building.

Special Memorials and Tributes

Inside the church, you can find several important memorials:

The Cavendish Memorial is a grand stone monument from the early 1600s. It honors Henry (who died in 1616) and William (who died in 1625). They were sons of Sir William Cavendish and Bess of Hardwick. William became the 1st Earl of Devonshire.
The Barker family memorial remembers a family member who fought on a ship called HMS Swiftsure in the famous Battle of Trafalgar.
The grave of Kathleen Cavendish, Marchioness of Hartington (who was born Kathleen Kennedy, 1920–1948). Her grave has a headstone and a special plaque. The plaque remembers the visit of U.S. President John F. Kennedy (her brother) to her grave on July 29, 1963.
A tablet for Andrew Cavendish, 11th Duke of Devonshire (who died in 2004). This was put up to celebrate his special anniversary (jubilee).

Cavendish Memorial
Barker memorial
Grave of Kathleen Cavendish, Marchioness of Hartington. On her gravestone, it says "Joy she gave joy she has found"
Jubilee tablet to Andrew Cavendish, 11th Duke of Devonshire

Beautiful Stained Glass Windows

The church has lovely stained glass windows that tell stories or honor people.

East window in memory of Lord Edward Cavendish. Made by Burlison and Grylls in 1892.
West window in memory of John Cottingham. He was a steward to the 7th Duke of Devonshire. The window shows what makes a good steward. Made by Hardman & Co. in 1879.
Chapel window in memory of Lord Frederick Charles Cavendish. Made by Hardman & Co. in 1882.

The Church Organ

The church has a pipe organ that was built by Bishop and Son in 1873. You can find details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.

Past Organists

Here are some of the people who have played the organ at St Peter's Church:

Richard Sedding (around 1853)
Miss Forrester (around 1870)
Albert Ernest Wragg (1879 - 1929)
T.H. Mosley (1929 - 1932)
Herbert Pilkington (1932 - 1942)
A. Morrey (1942 - unknown)

The Churchyard and Burials

The churchyard at St Peter's is a peaceful place where many important people are buried. Sir Joseph Paxton (who died in 1865), the person who helped plan the new village, is buried here.

Most of the Dukes of Devonshire and their families are also buried in this churchyard. This includes Kathleen Kennedy, who was the sister of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. She was married to the eldest son of the 10th Duke. President Kennedy visited her grave during his time as president.

Members of the Cavendish family buried here include:

William Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire (1790–1858), who helped create the modern village of Edensor.
Lord Frederick Charles Cavendish (1836–1882)
Lucy Caroline, Lady Frederick Cavendish (1841–1925)
William Cavendish, 7th Duke of Devonshire (1808–1891)
Spencer Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire (1833–1908)
Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire (1868–1938)
Edward Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire (1895–1950)
Andrew Cavendish, 11th Duke of Devonshire (1920–2004)
Deborah Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire (1920–2014)

Their graves are located on the highest part of the churchyard, in a special area for the Cavendish family.

The churchyard also has three special graves for soldiers who died in World War I. These are called Commonwealth service war graves. They belong to a British soldier, a British sailor, and a Canadian Army officer.