Derbyshire Churches and Chapels
Belper Central Methodist, Chapel Street
SK347473
Built in 1807, this listed building is the largest surviving pre-Victorian chapel in the county. It is square in plan, as favoured by the early Wesleyans, with a hippe retains its original seating and there is a a fine plaster ceiling. Construction is of stone with square sash windows; the style is plain save for the pedimented front. The building is set back from the A6 in its own large graveyard, now a pleasant garden. When first built the chapel was described as "the wonder of the country for many miles around" on account of its great size (accommodating 1,400 people - so it was said!). It is now a listed building and there are plans for its restoration.
SUNDAY SERVICES: 10.45, 6.15
CHURCH OPEN (COFFEE): FRI 10.00-12.00 + SOME SATS
OPEN FOR FLOWER FESTIVAL (2nd THUR JUNE TILL FOLLOWING SUN)
PREMISES OPEN: MON - THUR 10.00-12.00 - usually somebody available
CONTACT: Tel: (01773) 823581 (Mrs Briggs)
(church CP to rear) 
Belper Christ Church, Bridge Street SK345479
Built in 1850 to a design by H I Stevens, it is a large, aisleless hall without architectural division at the chancel or sanctuary. At the time of writing (1999) the whole building is undergoing a major restoration and refurbishment. Its superb acoustics and open layout make it a popular venue for musical concerts.
SUNDAY SERVICES: 7.45, 11.00, 6.30
CHURCH OPEN: DAILY
(at rear)
Belper St John's Chapel (Heritage Centre), St John's Road SK353475
A simple 13th century chapel for the mediaeval hamlet of Belper, originally coming under the extensive parish of Duffield. Following the industrial growth of Belper the chapel's function was necessarily replaced by the large 1824 church of St Peter's. The building is now divided into two sections, the west end being used as a Town Council Chamber while the remainder is a heritage centre and meeting room for local societies.
HERITAGE CENTRE OPEN: MON (EX BH), TUE, WED, FRI, 9.30-12.30
CONTACT: Tel: (01773) 822116
Publication: E G Power, St. John's Chapel, Belper
Belper St Peter, Chesterfield Road SK351477
This large, Gothic "Commissioners" church, built in 1824 to replace the old St John's Chapel (see above), enjoys a commanding hillside position. Tree-lined avenues lead through the churchyard towards the tall, slender tower (now unfortunately shorn of its pinnacle tops) which is a prominent landmark on the Belper skyline. With a wide, rectangular nave, shallow sanctuary and large gallery at back and sides, the building remains structurally unaltered. In the west gallery stands the historic 3-manual organ by Holt (1853, enlarged 1873 and recently restored).
SUNDAY SERVICES: 8.00, 10.30, 6.30
CHURCH & OFFICE OPEN: TUE-FRI, 10.00-12.00
CONTACT: Tel: (01773) 828772 (during above office hours) or (01773) 822148 (Vicar)
(Chesterfield Rd or public CP)
Belper Unitarian, Field Row (off Green Lane) SK350479
Built in 1788 by local mill owner, Jedediah Strutt, and enlarged with side wings in about 1800. The interior has steeply tiered box pews rising towards each side and there is a small rear gallery with access only from an exterior cantilevered stone staircase. Among the family monuments is one to Jedediah Strutt, 1797, "Founder of this Chapel". There is also a late 18th century octagonal pulpit. Entered from outside is a "catacomb" in which are interred several members of the Strutt family.
SUNDAY SERVICE: 3.00 (1st & 3rd)
CONTACT: Tel: (01773) 824946
Publication: D Smith, Belper Unitarian Chapel
(in Green Lane)
"Mill Churches" Trail
Duffield Evangelical Baptist, Town Street SK346429
Built as a General Baptist Chapel in 1830, with a schoolroom added in 1877. The north facade and the west side, both facing the A6 road across an attractive graveyard, are of red brick with nicely detailed stone dressings. The interior has a congregational gallery over the porch and one for the choir and organ behind the pulpit.
SUNDAY SERVICES: 10.45, 6.30
"OPEN DOORS": TUES 11.00-12.30
("somewhere to sit & pray - cup of coffee & chat - or just look round")
CHURCH OFFICE: Tel: (01332) 843011
Brochure: Time for Change
(adjacent)
Duffield St Alkmund (Grade I) SK349428
The church contains substantial work ranging from the 12th to the 19th centuries. Though only three bays long the nave has very broad north and south aisles, thus giving an overall width that is greater than the nave's length. A north transept (adding even more to the width of the nave), originally a chapel, contains the fine, early 17th century monument to Anthony Bradshaw, his two wives and twenty children. Church facilities were enhanced in 1992 by the addition of a small cloister on the south side across which is the new church hall - a fine piece of sympathetic modern design by the local architect, Anthony Rossi.
SUNDAY SERVICES: 10.00, 6.30
CHURCH OPEN: DAILY
Publication: The Parish Church of St. Alkmund Duffield
(when church hall is open) Bakewell
Trail
Holbrook village occupies a high site on a ridge between the Derwent and the Bottle Brook, with good views over the latter towards the spire of Horsley church. St Michael's originated as a small C18 chapel in the parish of Duffield, becoming a parochial centre in its own right about a hundred years later. It was enlarged (in Classical style with Inigo Jones overtones) in 1841 and further rebuilt and enlarged in 1907-8 following a fire. Particularly effective (albeit alien to the overall style) is the large, semicircular east window with its art nouveau tracery, dating from the latter rebuild. An annual event in the village is the ecumenical procession of Christian Witness on 1st Sunday in July.
SUNDAY SERVICES: 9.00, 10.45, 6.30
CONTACT: Tel: (01332) 880442 (Mr Styles)
(street)
Kedleston All Saints (Grade I)
SK312403
The church stands next to Kedleston Hall and is administered by the National Trust for the Redundant Churches Fund. It is cruciform with a central tower, Norman in origin though mostly of the C13. The sumptuous north nave aisle was designed by G F Bodley in 1907 to house the memorial to the wife of Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India. Other Curzon monuments in the church go back to the C13.
CHURCH OPEN: AT HALL OPENING TIMES, AS ADVERTISED BY NATIONAL TRUST
Little Eaton St Paul SK363415
Little Eaton occupies the low ground at the confluence of the Bottle Brook and the Derwent. The church was built in 1791 and enlarged in 1837, but it is the "Normanization" of 1869 which is now its dominant characteristic. The arms of George III on display in the church reflect the date of its origin. Monuments to two former incumbents include that of Canon Latham, founder of the Derby Diocesan Training College for Schoolmistresses.
SUNDAY SERVICES: 8.00, 10.30, 6.30
CONTACT: list of key holders advertised on notice board
(street)
Mugginton Halter Devil Chapel
SK271449
A curious little Classical chapel of 1723 attached to a farmhouse. It has a stylish, stone-faced facade though the other walls are plain and simple, as is the interior. Visitors are recommended to read for themselves the story of how a farmer, late at night, swore he would ride into Derby even if he had to "halter the Devil". On trying to halter his own horse he found it had horns!
KEY AVAILABLE: AT ADJOINING FARMHOUSE