St Werburgh's Church, Spondon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Parish Church of St Werburgh, Spondon |
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| 52°55′09″N 1°24′35″W / 52.91915°N 1.40977°W | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Inclusive Anglo-Catholic |
| Website | www.stwerburgh.com |
| History | |
| Dedication | St. Werburgh |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed building |
| Architectural type | Gothic |
| Completed | 1390 |
| Specifications | |
| Spire height | 35 metres (115 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Spondon |
| Diocese | Diocese of Derby |
| Province | Canterbury |
St. Werburgh's Church is a special church in Spondon, Derbyshire. It belongs to the Church of England and follows an "Anglo-Catholic" style of worship. This church is an important part of the Spondon community.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's History
The church you see today was built around 1390. It replaced an older church that was destroyed by fire in 1340. In 2012, the church was officially recognized as a Grade II listed building. This means it is a very important historical building.
Building and Changes Over Time
Most of the church, including the main hall (nave), the area around the altar (chancel), and the tall tower and spire, were built in 1390. The tower and spire reach about 35 meters (115 feet) high. In 1826, the north wall of the main hall was damaged and had to be rebuilt.
The church was carefully restored in 1892. Many changes made in 1826 were reversed. For example, a flat roof was replaced with a sloped roof, and other roofs were made taller. The north aisle (a side section) was rebuilt, and its outer wall was moved out by 5 feet. Plaster was removed from the walls and pillars to show the original stone. An arch under the tower was opened up, and old balconies were taken down. The architect for this work was John Oldrid Scott from London.
Recent Updates and Future Plans
Recently, the church has had major repairs to its tower and spire. These repairs were partly paid for by the Heritage Lottery Fund. There is also an ongoing project to fix the floor of the main hall. This project will also make the church more welcoming and add a new altar closer to the people.
Past Leaders of the Church
Many vicars have served St. Werburgh's Church. Canon Richard Andrews, who is now a leader at Derby Cathedral, was once a vicar here. The Very Reverend Geoffrey Marshall also served here before becoming a Dean in Wales.
The Reverend TEM Barber was the vicar from March 1939 until May 1986. He was known for being the longest-serving vicar in the Church of England at that time. He was also the longest-ever serving vicar of Spondon.
Reverend Barber's Impact
During Reverend Barber's time, many people attended the church. He taught from the Book of Common Prayer and followed traditional church practices. He was well-known for helping people who were sick or dying. He also did a lot of work with young people.
One of his biggest achievements was starting the Spondon Church Boys' Club in 1939. He ran this club until he passed away in 1988. A fun part of the club was the yearly summer camp, which often took place in Sidmouth. Even after he retired due to health reasons at age 79, he continued to run the Boys' Club for two more years. His funeral was attended by many people he had served for 50 years.
Special Features of the Church
Inside the church, next to the main altar, there is a special seating area called a sedilia. Nearby, there is a small window for the priest and four piscinas (basins for washing sacred vessels).
Memorials and Royal Arms
The church has a memorial for those who served in the First World War. This memorial is in the Lady Chapel. There is also a newer Tower Chapel. Above the north door, you can see the royal arms. These arms show the symbols of Queen Anne from between 1702 and 1707. They were made before Scotland and England officially joined together.
Outside the Church
Outside the church, you can find parts of an old decorated cross. It is believed to be from around 870. However, it was not originally placed in the churchyard. In the grounds of the old vicarage nearby, there is also what people believe to be a holy well.
Church Bells
The church has a set of six bells. One of these bells is from the 1500s, another from the 1600s, and the other four are from the 1800s.
The Church Organ
A new organ was put into the church and first played on April 21, 1839. This was done by W.E. Gover from St Werburgh's Church, Derby.
A different organ, built by James Jepson Binns, was first played on June 14, 1905. Its beautiful wooden case was designed by John Oldrid Scott. The total cost for this organ was £1,100 at the time. In 1989, M.C. Thompson added electric controls to the organ. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register website.
See also
- Listed buildings in Spondon
