Listed Building record MDR2554 - St Mary and St George's Church, Church Street, Swadlincote
Type and Period (1)
- CHURCH (Medieval to 21st Century - 1100 AD? to 2050 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
Full Description
St Mary and St George's Church, Church Street, Swadlincote, originally built incorporating a 12th century building.
'A priory of Augustinian Canons was founded at Church Gresley in the reign of Stephen (1) or Henry I (2) and dissolved in 1536. The church of Gresley, appropriated at an early date to the priory, formed part of the monastic buildings, the nave being used by the parishioners and the choir or chancel by the Austin canons as the priory chapel. The chancel and priory buildings were demolished soon after the Dissolution. In 1786 the inhabitants of Church Gresley petitioned to rebuild their church, summarising that it was 'not fit for anybody to go into'. However, it was not rebuilt but, shortly after being sketched in 1816, was repaired after a deplorable fashion. The outer walls were almost completely rebuilt and poor debased windows and door inserted. The church then consisted of nave and north aisle. The church underwent restoration in 1872 when a new chancel was built on the site of the old one.' (2)
'Church in normal use.' (4)
'St. Mary and St. George's Church is a grade II* listed building.' (5)
'An archaeological watching brief was carried out by Tony Sumpter Archaeological Consultancy in 2009 during geotechnical works to investigate cracks in the church. The church was once part of a 12th century Austin priory, but was rebuilt in the 19th century apart from the tower, the north arcade and the lower nave walls. Three test pits showed that the north wall of the tower stairs and the south wall of the chancel stand on an insubstantial foundation which itself rests on made ground.' (6)
From the National Heritage List for England:
'This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 23 January 2023 to amend a typo in the description and to reformat the text to current standards
SK 21 NE 3/13
Church Gresley CHURCH STREET (south side) Parish Church of Saint Mary and Saint George
II*
Parish church, incorporating part of nave of monastic church of small Augustinian Priory founded between 1100 and 1154 by William de Greley. Church in ruinious state when restored in 1786 and again restored and present chancel built in 1872. Coursed stone with slate roof. Much of internal stonework of monastic nave may survive but part of C14 north arcade visibly remains and blocked door at west end of south wall probably led to cloisters. C15 tower, at east end of north aisle, formerly open to choir through lofty arch. Tower crenellated and buttressed.
Nave has two Gothic windows with third above centre door on north side C17, C18 and C19 monuments include alabaster monument at east end of north aisle to Sir Thomas Gresley + 1699 designed by Sir William Wilson. Figure of Sir Thomas, in wig and gown, flanked by two children as weepers and surrounded by arms of his ancestors.
Wall monument in south aisle to John Alleyne (died 1712) (the Alleynes owned Priory site after 1556). Three Royal coats of arms (2 of reign of George III). Misericord seats in chancel and at rear of nave, thought to have been carved by Artus Quellin, a Flemish craftsman in mid C17. These came from Drakelaw Hall, home of Gresley family but Cox says they may have belonged to church originally. (Cox J.C p 125. Notes on the churches of Derbyshire 1875-79). (Bulmer p 721 Directory of Derbyshire 1895).
Listing NGR: SK2932718108.'
(7)
Sources/Archives (7)
- <1> SDR11676 Bibliographic reference: Cox, J C. 1877. Notes on the Churches of Derbyshire, Vol. III. 367-376.
- <2> SDR93 Bibliographic reference: Knowles, D & Hadcock, R. 1953. Medieval Religious Houses of England and Wales. 134.
- <3> SDR190 Bibliographic reference: Pevsner, N. 1953. The Buildings of England: Derbyshire, 1st edition. 100.
- <4> SDR6294 Personal Observation: F1 FRH 04-AUG-66.
- <5> SDR5291 Bibliographic reference: DOE (HHR) South Derby District October 1981 5.
- <6> SDR20804 Unpublished document: Tony Sumpter Archaeological Consultancy. 2009. Church of St George and St Mary, Church Gresley, Swadlincote, Derbyshire: archaeological watching brief.
- <7> SDR19551 Listed Building File: Historic England. 2011. The National Heritage List for England. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1204963?section=official-list-entry.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | SK 29327 18108 (point) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | SWADLINCOTE, SOUTH DERBYSHIRE, DERBYSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (3)
- EDR2745
- EDR2843
- EDR793
Please contact the HER for details.
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Jul 30 2025 11:03PM