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, Spondon, is a historic church in Spondon, Derbyshire, England. It is part of the Church of England and follows an "Inclusive Anglo-Catholic" tradition. This means it combines some older church practices with modern ideas.
Contents
History of St. Werburgh's Church
The church building you see today was mostly built around the year 1390. It replaced an older church that was sadly destroyed by a fire in 1340. In 2012, the church was officially recognized as a Grade II listed building, meaning it's an important historic place.
How the Church Was Built
Most of the church, including the main hall (called the nave), the area around the altar (the chancel), and the tall tower with its spire, were built in 1390. The spire itself reaches about 35 meters (115 feet) high! However, one of the walls on the north side of the church was damaged over time. It had to be rebuilt in 1826.
Changes Over the Years
The church had a big restoration project in 1892. During this work, many changes made in 1826 were undone. For example, a flat roof was replaced with a more traditional sloped roof. Other roofs were also made taller. The north aisle, which is a side section of the church, was rebuilt and made wider. Workers also removed plaster from the walls and pillars to show the original stone underneath. An arch under the tower was opened up, and old galleries (like balconies) were taken out. A famous architect named John Oldrid Scott designed these changes.
Recent Renovations
More recently, the church has had major repairs to its tower and spire. These repairs were partly paid for by a special grant called Heritage Lottery funding. There's also a plan to fix the floor of the main hall, make the entrance more welcoming, and add a new altar closer to the people.
Past Leaders of the Church
St. Werburgh's has had many important vicars (the main priests). One well-known vicar was Canon Richard Andrews, who now works at Derby Cathedral. Another was the Very Reverend Geoffrey Marshall, who later became a Dean in Wales.
The longest-serving vicar of St. Werburgh's was Reverend TEM Barber. He was the vicar from March 1939 until May 1986. He was known for serving the church for 50 years, which was a very long time!
Reverend Barber's Impact
During Reverend Barber's time, many people attended the church. He taught from the Book of Common Prayer and used traditional church rituals. He was also famous for helping people who were sick or dying. He did a lot of work with young people too.
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 its yearly summer camp, which often went to Sidmouth. Even after he retired due to health reasons, he kept running the Boys' Club. His funeral was attended by many people he had helped over his 50 years of service.
Interesting Features of the Church
St. Werburgh's Church has several unique and historical features.
- Sedilia and Piscina: Near the main altar, there's a special recessed seat called a sedilia. There's also a small window for the priest nearby. You can find four piscinas (small basins for washing sacred vessels) inside the church.
- War Memorials: The church has a memorial in the Lady Chapel for those who served in the First World War. There's also a newer chapel called the Tower Chapel.
- Royal Arms: Above the north door, you can see the royal coat of arms. This specific design was used between 1702 and 1707. It shows the arms of Queen Anne before Scotland joined with England to form Great Britain.
- Ancient Cross: Outside the church, you can find parts of an old decorated cross. Experts believe it dates back to around 870 AD. However, it wasn't originally placed in the churchyard.
- Holy Well: In the grounds of the old vicarage nearby, there is what people believe to be a holy well.
Church Bells
The church has a set of six bells that can be rung together. One of these bells is very old, from the 16th century. Another is from the 17th century, and the other four were added in the 19th century.
The Organ
St. Werburgh's has a beautiful organ. A new organ was first installed and played on April 21, 1839.
The current organ was built by James Jepson Binns and was first played on June 14, 1905. Its beautiful wooden case was designed by the same architect who worked on the church's restoration, John Oldrid Scott. The organ cost about £1,100 at the time. In 1989, electric action was added to make it easier to play. You can find more details about the organ on the National Pipe Organ Register website.
See also
- Listed buildings in Spondon
