Christ Church, Belper

Christ Church, Belper
Christ Church, Belper
53°01′38.7″N1°29′9.9″W / 53.027417°N 1.486083°W / 53.027417; -1.486083 Coordinates: 53°01′38.7″N1°29′9.9″W / 53.027417°N 1.486083°W / 53.027417; -1.486083
Location	Belper, Derbyshire
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
History
Dedication	Christ Church
Consecrated	30 July 1850
Architecture
Heritage designation	Grade II listed [1]
Architect(s)	Henry Isaac Stevens
Completed	1849
Administration
Province	Province of Canterbury
Diocese	Diocese of Derby
Archdeaconry	Derbyshire Peak and Dales
Deanery	Dove and Derwent
Parish	Christ Church Belper

Christ Church is a Grade II listed parish church in the Church of England in Belper, Derbyshire.

History

The church was built to the designs of the architect Henry Isaac Stevens and consecrated by the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry on 30 July 1850. ^[2]

The church was restored in 1878 when the varnish was removed from the roof timbers and the ceiling and walls were painted by T.R. Hibbert of Belper. A screen was erected and the gas lighting extended. The floor of the church was lowered by 5 inches (13 cm) and the aisles were paved with encaustic tiles. This work was carried out under the supervision of the architect Mr. Robinson of Derby. ^[3] At the same time the organ, which had formerly stood on the north side, was split either side of the chancel. The work was paid for by local industrialist G.H. Strutt whose liberality enabled the church to be converted into a free and open church. In 1903, two vestries were built and other alterations made, to the designs of Hunter and Woodhouse of Belper. ^[4]

Parish status

The parish of Belper Christ Church is part of a joint benefice with the parish of All Saints' Church, Turnditch.

Organ

The church contains a pipe organ by Brindley & Foster A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register. ^[5]

Organists

• Thomas Barker Mellor 1862–1871
• James Whitehead 1877–1879 ^[6]
• A. W. V. Vorne Palmer 1880 ^[7] –???? (formerly at Lichfield Cathedral)
• Frederick William Kirkland 1883–1924 ^[8]
• Alec Kirkland ca. 1928–???? (son of Frederick William Kirkland)

See also

• Listed buildings in Belper

References

1. Historic England, "Christ Church (1087403)", National Heritage List for England , retrieved 15 January 2017
2. "Christ Church Belper" . Derby Mercury. England. 31 July 1850. Retrieved 15 January 2017– via British Newspaper Archive.
3. "Re-opening of Christ Church Belper" . Derby Mercury. England. 2 October 1878. Retrieved 15 January 2017– via British Newspaper Archive.
4. "Additions to Christ Church Belper" . Belper News. England. 16 January 1903. Retrieved 26 January 2021– via British Newspaper Archive.
5. "NPOR [N00407]". National Pipe Organ Register . British Institute of Organ Studies . Retrieved 15 January 2017.
6. "Sudden Death at Belper" . Sheffield Independent. England. 17 December 1879. Retrieved 11 January 2019– via British Newspaper Archive.
7. "Appointment of Organist" . Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald. England. 18 May 1880. Retrieved 11 January 2019– via British Newspaper Archive.
8. "Belper Tradesman's Death" . Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald. England. 10 May 1924. Retrieved 11 January 2019– via British Newspaper Archive.