| St. Mary's Church, Wirksworth | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| Website | www.wirksworthteamministry.co.uk |
| History | |
| Dedication | St. Mary |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed building |
| Architectural type | Perpendicular Gothic |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 142ft [1] |
| Width | 102ft [2] |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Wirksworth |
| Diocese | Diocese of Derby |
| Province | Canterbury |
| Clergy | |
| Rector | Canon David Truby |
St. Mary's Church, Wirksworth, is a parish church in the Church of England in Wirksworth, Derbyshire.
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It is a Grade I listed building dating mostly from the thirteenth century. It was restored in 1870 by Sir Gilbert Scott.[3] The church is notable for its Saxon carvings, and a large Saxon coffin lid which was discovered in the churchyard in the early part of the nineteenth century.
It is one of the few remaining churches in Britain which still performs the ancient custom of Clipping the church.
The church is notable for a Saxon coffin lid, which was discovered in 1820. It is now mounted on the north wall of the nave. It appears to date from the second half of the seventh century.[4]
The church is also noted for containing an Anglo-Saxon carving of a lead miner, T'owd Man, the oldest representation of a miner any where in the world. It was moved here in 1863 from Bonsall church for safe-keeping and has never been returned. The parishioners of Bonsall have had a replica carved for their church.[5]
In the north aisle are the tombs of the Gell family. Sir Anthony Gell (d. 1583), has his statue on his tomb. Alongside is the simpler tomb of his father, Sir Ralph Gell.
The chancel contains the tomb of Anthony Lowe, a Gentleman of the Bedchamber who served Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary I and died in 1555.
Abraham Bennet the inventor of the gold-leaf electroscope and developer of an improved magnetometer.
The churchyard contains the tomb of Matthew Peat of Alderwasley, who died Dec. 11, 1751, at an alleged age of 109 years and 10 months.[6]
This list is taken from the list displayed by the South Porch door inside the church.
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In 1826 a 2 manual organ was installed by Thomas Elliot. It cost £400 (£28,800 as of 2012),[7] raised by subscriptions, and was placed in the tower of the church, but it was removed in 1853 to a more convenient location in the nave.
The church had a 3-manual 26 speaking stop tubular pneumatic action pipe organ installed in the north transept in 1899 by Brindley & Foster.[8] It was rebuilt in 1955 by Kingsgate Davidson with electric action.
This organ has been replaced by an electronic organ.