St Peter and St Paul's Church, Eckington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Eckington |
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St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Eckington
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| 53°18′44.94″N 1°21′11.05″W / 53.3124833°N 1.3530694°W | |
| Location | Eckington, Derbyshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Peter and St Paul |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Eckington |
| Deanery | Bolsover and Staveley |
| Archdeaconry | Chesterfield |
| Diocese | Diocese of Derby |
| Province | Province of Canterbury |
St Peter and St Paul's Church, Eckington is a very old and important church located in Eckington, Derbyshire. It is a Grade I listed building, which means it's considered a special historical place. This church is part of the Church of England and has been a central part of the Eckington community for many centuries.
Contents
The Church's Long History
Early Beginnings
The church of St Peter and St Paul is very old! It was first built in the 12th century, which is over 800 years ago. Over the years, new parts were added in the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries. For example, the south aisle porch, which is like a covered entrance, was added in 1763 by a builder named John Platt. Some repairs were also done in 1833 to keep the building strong.
Major Renovations
The church had a big makeover between 1877 and 1878. Architects from Flockton of Sheffield led this work. During this time, old plaster was taken off the pillars and inside walls. Galleries, which were like balconies inside the church, were removed. The old box pews, which were enclosed seats, were replaced with open benches, making the church feel more open.
New stained glass windows were put in, adding beautiful colours. A new pulpit (where sermons are given), a reading desk, a lectern (a stand for reading), and a communion table were also set up. The lectern was made by a company called Jones and Willis. A special brass cross was given for the reredos, which is a decorated screen behind the altar. The church officially reopened on 19 June 1878 after all these changes.
Later, in 1907, the church was updated again and given new furnishings by Percy Heylyn Currey.
Church Organ
The church has a wonderful organ, which is a large musical instrument that makes sound using pipes. The original organ was made by a company called Brindley & Foster. After the big church renovation in 1878, Brindley & Foster made the organ even bigger. They added three new "stops," which are controls that change the sound of the organ. A famous organist named Dr Haydn Keeton from Peterborough Cathedral gave a special concert to celebrate the enlarged organ. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.
Church Bells
St Peter and St Paul's Church has eight bells. These bells are used for "full circle change ringing," which is a special way of ringing bells in a changing pattern. The church is also home to the Gordon Halls Ringing Centre, a place where people can learn and practice bell ringing.
Important Memorials
Inside the church, you can find memorials that remember important people from the past. These memorials are like special plaques or sculptures that honour those who have died. Some of the people remembered here include:
- Francis Stringer (died 1727)
- William Sitwell (died 1776)
- Mary Sitwell (died 1792)
- Francis Sitwell (died 1793)
- Hurt Sitwell (died 1830)
- Sir Sitwell Sitwell (died 1811) and Caroline Sitwell (died 1800), with a memorial made by White Watson
- Alice Sitwell (died 1797)
- George Sitwell (died 1667) and his wife Margaret (died 1658)
- Francis Sitwell (died 1671)
- Thomas Barlow (died 1694)
- John Staniforth (died 1800), mentioned with his father William
Parish Connections
This church is part of a "joint parish." This means it works closely with other churches in the area. The churches in this joint parish are:
- St Luke's Church, Upper Eckington
- St John the Baptist's Church, Handley
- St John The Evangelist Church, Ridgeway
See also
- Grade I listed churches in Derbyshire
- Grade I listed buildings in Derbyshire
- Listed buildings in Eckington, Derbyshire
