Derbyshire Churches and Chapels
Charlesworth Congregational, Monks Road
SK010928
An Independent congregation was founded here in 1611 making use of a disused mediaeval chapel. The church claims to be the longest continually worshipping free church in England. One of their forefathers went to America with the Mayflower and Pilgrim Fathers. The present building, on the same site, dates from 1797 and stands amidst a large graveyard on an open hillside giving dramatic distant views of Thameside and Greater Manchester. Externally it is much as built, of plain gritstone but with pretty, but slightly incongrous, Venetian windows in the main gabled front. The interior, however, was totally refurbished about a hundred years later. With its continuous gallery round all four sides and much excellent carpentry and ironwork, it represents a perfect late-Victorian chapel interior. In the gallery behind the pulpit stands a large 2-manual Binns organ installed in 1911.
SUNDAY SERVICE: 10.45
CONTACT: Tel: (01457) 852738 (Minister)
(in churchyard)
Chinley Independent (Congregational), Chapel Milton
SK055820
Built in 1711 for a congregation founded in 1662, this is second only to Chesterfield Unitarian in age. It is doubtless the jewel in the crown of Derbyshire's dissenting chapels, being the only one to retain its original plan, layout and furnishing. Founded by the ejected Vicar of Glossop, William Bagshawe ("The Apostle of the Peak"), it stands in an old-established churchyard which is an "extra parochial liberty" (ie not within any parish). Built of local stone, it is long and narrow with a gable at each end; windows are single mullioned in the vernacular style of the 17th century. On entering one is transported to the early meeting-house era - 17th century pulpit (from an earlier chapel) in the middle of the long north wall; elegantly panelled and moulded galleries on the three sides facing the pulpit; box pews upstairs and down similarly facing the pulpit; 18th century chandelier fittings; and numerous historic wall monuments. When not open much of the interior may still be seen by looking through the clear glass panes of the lower windows - however, a proper visit is strongly recommended.
SUNDAY SERVICES: 10.30, 6.30
CONTACT: Tel: (01663) 750571 (Minister)
Publication: W Simpson, The History of Chinley Chapel, Chinley (Independent), Founded 1662
Glossop St Mary Crowned (RC), Sumner Street SK030938
Built in 1882 by the local mill owner, Frances Sumner, the Gothic church is big and lofty. Its cathedral-like acoustics are well matched by the small, though effective 2-manual Gray & Davison organ of 1886.
SUNDAY MASS: 10.00, 6.00
CONTACT:: Tel: (01457) 853124 (Presbytery)
(in church grounds)
T Catholic
Chapels Trail
New Mills St George, Church Road/Church Lane SK005854
Of "Commissioners'" type, dating from 1830, with tower and spire, all executed in lancet Gothic style. The chancel was built in 1898 and the original Georgian interior re-ordered in the taste of the time. Remaining from the earlier period, however, are the galleries and the 1835 Samuel Renn organ case (albeit widened and moved to a new location). From Church Road there is a footpath to The Torrs, the New Mills Heritage and Information Centre (open daily).
SUNDAY SERVICES: 9.30, 6.30
CONTACT: Tel: (01663) 747177 (office) or (01663) 743225 (Vicar)
(street)
New Mills St James, Spring Bank SK001859
Built in 1880 as a Chapel of Ease for St George's (above). The important feature is its contemporary Victorian interior with original furnishings, painted roof timbers and monochrome murals. There is also a courtyard of almshouses by the same architect linked to the west end of the church. The building is now shared with the local Methodist congregation.
SUNDAY SERVICE: 11.00
CONTACT: Tel: (01663) 747177 (St George's office) or (01663) 742331 (Meth. Minister)
(street)
Whitfield St James, Hollincross Lane (Glossop) SK032935
It is difficult to distinguish the boundaries of Whitfield - formerly more important than Glossop and now, though somewhat overshadowed by the latter, still managing to preserve an attractive identity within the larger conurbation. The church, dating from 1846, stands out on account of its fine broach spire. Some stained glass in the south aisle is to a design by Burne-Jones. The very large pipe organ was rebuilt in 1937, and the story goes that the organ builders' lorry suffered an accident coming over the Woodhead Pass; this was said to have caused the wind to moan through the "disconsolate pipes as they lay in the bleak fields"!
SUNDAY SERVICES: 11.00 (weekly), 6.30 (1st, 2nd, 3rd & 5th)
CONTACT: Tel: (01457) 861435 (Mrs Collard)
(street)
Church Web Site
Whitfield St Luke, Fauvel Road (Glossop) SK033943
Though a substantial late Victorian Gothic building, this is in fact still a Chapel of Ease serving the northern portion of the parish of St James (see above). Its finest possession is the 3-manual tracker action organ installed by Conacher in 1906 - amongst the dozen or so most important instruments in the County and still unspoilt by modern "improvers".
SUNDAY SERVICES: 10.00 (weekly), 6.30 (4th only)
CONTACT: Tel: (01457) 864195 (Mrs Booth)
(street)
Church Web Site