Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The present church was begun in the 12th century in Norman style, but only the west front and part of the nave remain from that era. The rest of the church was constructed between 1220 and 1240. The spire was added in 1340 but was removed in 1825, and the tower was demolished in 1830. Before the restoration work, the church’s dimensions were measured from the church floor to the top of the spire, which was 180 feet (55 m) from east to west, 153 feet (47 m) from north to south, and 106 feet (32 m) from transept to transept.
Between 1841 and 1844, the church underwent a significant reconstruction due to safety concerns. This restoration was carried out by William Flockton. Once the external work was completed in 1844, internal restorations began. The church was re-pewed throughout, and the Norman piers from the nave were replaced with early English, decorated ones. Steam heating was also introduced. This work was overseen by Mr. Bath of Haddon, with the architects John Grey Weightman and Matthew Ellison Hadfield of Sheffield providing guidance. The church reopened on September 4, 1851.
Between 1879 and 1882, George Gilbert Scott Jr. oversaw the restoration of the chancel. The restoration was funded by the Ven. Archdeacon Balston, vicar, with the Ecclesiastical commissioners covering the outside walls. A new screen was installed under the chancel arch, featuring intricate carvings reminiscent of those in the Vernon Chapel. A marble pavement was laid throughout the sanctuary, and a new reredos was installed, depicting the scene on Mount Calvary. The woodwork was crafted by Mr. Elwell of Beverley, while the walls, floor, and marble work were executed by Burlison and Grylls, Belham of Buckingham Palace Road, London, and Twigg of Ashford, respectively.
In 1897-98, a north vestry was added at a cost of £700 (equivalent to £98,500 in 2023). The architects were Naylor and Sale of Derby, and the contractor was T. Allsop and Son of Bakewell. The vestry was furnished with furniture from Booth and Wright of Bakewell, and the woodwork was installed by Groom and Co of Bakewell and Matlock. It was dedicated by the Bishop of Southwell on May 15, 1898.
In 1906-07, Charles Hodgson Fowler undertook repairs to the nave roof. He erected a large crane on an elevated timber platform just above the south porch, which was then covered with a temporary iron roof. The crane facilitated the removal of the old roof timbers. Oak trees from Holton Park, Oxfordshire, were selected for the new roof timbers. Hodgson Fowler also replaced the tie beams and wall plates. The restoration cost amounted to £445 (equivalent to £59,500 in 2023).
The present church was begun in the 12th century in Norman style, but only the west front and part of the nave remain from that era. The rest of the church was constructed between 1220 and 1240. The spire was added in 1340 but was removed in 1825, and the tower was demolished in 1830. Before the restoration work, the church’s dimensions were measured from the church floor to the top of the spire, which was 180 feet (55 m) from east to west, 153 feet (47 m) from north to south, and 106 feet (32 m) from transept to transept.
Between 1841 and 1844, the church underwent a significant reconstruction due to safety concerns. This restoration was carried out by William Flockton. Once the external work was completed in 1844, internal restorations began. The church was re-pewed throughout, and the Norman piers from the nave were replaced with early English, decorated ones. Steam heating was also introduced. This work was overseen by Mr. Bath of Haddon, with the architects John Grey Weightman and Matthew Ellison Hadfield of Sheffield providing guidance. The church reopened on September 4, 1851.
Between 1879 and 1882, George Gilbert Scott Jr. oversaw the restoration of the chancel. The restoration was funded by the Ven. Archdeacon Balston, vicar, with the Ecclesiastical commissioners covering the outside walls. A new screen was installed under the chancel arch, featuring intricate carvings reminiscent of those in the Vernon Chapel. A marble pavement was laid throughout the sanctuary, and a new reredos was installed, depicting the scene on Mount Calvary. The woodwork was crafted by Mr. Elwell of Beverley, while the walls, floor, and marble work were executed by Burlison and Grylls, Belham of Buckingham Palace Road, London, and Twigg of Ashford, respectively.
In 1897-98, a north vestry was added at a cost of £700 (equivalent to £98,500 in 2023). The architects were Naylor and Sale of Derby, and the contractor was T. Allsop and Son of Bakewell. The vestry was furnished with furniture from Booth and Wright of Bakewell, and the woodwork was installed by Groom and Co of Bakewell and Matlock. It was dedicated by the Bishop of Southwell on May 15, 1898.
In 1906-07, Charles Hodgson Fowler undertook repairs to the nave roof. He erected a large crane on an elevated timber platform just above the south porch, which was then covered with a temporary iron roof. The crane facilitated the removal of the old roof timbers. Oak trees from Holton Park, Oxfordshire, were selected for the new roof timbers. Hodgson Fowler also replaced the tie beams and wall plates. The restoration cost amounted to £445 (equivalent to £59,500 in 2023).
