St. Werburgh's Church, Derby

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St. Werburgh's Church, main building (left) and tower (right).

St Werburgh's Church is a church located at the corner of the Wardwick and Cheapside, Derby. The church's dedication is to Werburgh, a 7th century abbess.

Its oldest parts are the tower, rebuilt in 1601, and the 1699 chancel, now a side chapel. The remainder was rebuilt in 1893-1894 by Sir Arthur Blomfield in 15th century style.

According to the Derby City Council listed building register for October 2003, its notable features are: the reredos in the side chapel; a 1718 wrought iron font cover (now in the Johnson Chapel); Kempe glass; and an 1832 monument to Sarah Winyates.

In 1989–1990 the lease on the main building was sold and the building converted into a shopping mall called the Cloisters. This enterprise failed due to high rent and council tax. The building has stood empty and subjected to vandalism for a number of years, but the lease has now been sold to a private company that will be converting the building into a restaurant and arts centre.

The tower has underwent a major refurbishment in 2004, and now contains the Johnson Chapel, where Samuel Johnson married Elizabeth "Tetty" Porter in 1735. This marriage is re-enacted annually at the church.