Building record MDR4942 - St Matthew's Church, Main Road, Pentrich
Type and Period (1)
- ANGLICAN CHURCH (Medieval to Victorian - 1100 AD to 1859 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
Full Description
The Church at Pentrich dedicated to St Matthew, consists of a nave, north and south aisles, porch, chancel and short embattled tower at the west end. The circular arches and pillars, separating the nave from the aisles, are late Norman, dating to about 1150, and are the oldest parts of the church. The small round arched door from the nave to the tower is Norman, and the lower part of the tower itself is probably part of the original building. The whole church seems to have been renovated and enlarged in the Perpendicular style, probably about 1430. In 1859, the church was restored, and other alterations were made in 1875. In 1175, the Church of Pentrich was given to the canons of Darley by Ralph Fitz Stephen, the probable founder of the church. (1-2)
The church, dedicated to St Matthew, is an ancient edifice of stone, consisting of chancel, nave, north and south aisles, south porch, and a western tower. The latter is surmounted by an embattled parapet, as also are the nave, south aisle, and south porch, which gives the edifice a beautiful and imposing aspect. There is no record of its foundation, but it was in existence in 1175. It was then a Norman church, and the five semicircular arches on each side of the nave doubtlessly belonged to it. The font is also of the same date, although it rests on a modern shaft, inscribed 1662. This relic was discovered about 45 years ago [circa 1850] in the cellar of a house at Ripley. The Perpendicular Gothic style characterises the rest of the church, from which it is inferred that the fabric was largely restored and enlarged about the middle of the 15th century. Alterations and restorations were carried out in the second half of the 19th century. The tower contains five bells, two having been added in 1869. The oldest one, evidently pre-Reformation, bears the invocation: 'Ave Maria Gratia plena' (Hail Mary full of Grace). (4)
Pentrich church, which is dedicated to St Matthew, has late 12th century or circa 1200 arcades and the lower part of the tower is of the same period. The remainder of the church is Perpendicular in style. (5)
The church is in use for public worship [1959]. (6)
A grade I listed Anglican Church. It dates to the 12th century, with extensive remodelling and additions in the late 14th and early 15th centuries, and was then restored in 1859. It is built of coursed rubble sandstone with ashlar gritstone dressings, and ashlar gritstone to the later additions. It has leaded roof coverings with coped gables. It comprises a west tower, nave with clerestory, north and south aisles, south aisle porch, chancel and vestry. The square 12th century tower was raised and re-quoined in the 14th century. There is a 19th century vestry to the chancel north wall, with a chamfered pointed-arched doorway at the east end. The north aisle windows are set in earlier rubble masonry. See list description for more details. (10)
Two bells in St Matthew's are of historical significance. One made in circa 1580 was founded by H Dand of Nottingham and another dating from circa 1520 was made by the Seliok family of Nottingham. (11)
Sources/Archives (11)
- <1> SDR11672 Bibliographic reference: Cox, J C. 1879. Notes on the Churches of Derbyshire, Vol IV. pp 355-62.
- <2> SDR4189 Bibliographic reference: Cott MSS Titus C.ix f.110.
- <3> SDR8021 Article in serial: Kerry, C. 1892. 'Codnor Castle and its ancient owners', Derbyshire Archaeological Journal. Vol. 14. pp 20-3.
- <4> SDR3507 Bibliographic reference: Bulmer, T and Co.. 1895. History, Topography and Directory of Derbyshire. pp 574-5.
- <5> SDR190 Bibliographic reference: Pevsner, N. 1953. The Buildings of England: Derbyshire, 1st edition. p 200.
- <6> SDR6463 Personal Observation: F1 WCW 15-JUL-59.
- <7> SDR6531 Personal Observation: F2 BHS 09-JUN-66.
- <8> SDR15676 Index: TPAT. 2557. 2557.
- <9> SDR9204 Bibliographic reference: MS Darley Cartulary.
- <10> SDR19551 Listed Building File: Historic England. 2011. The National Heritage List for England. List entry number 1109151, UID Ref: 78733.
- <11> SDR23468 Unpublished document: Church of England. 2007. Identification of bells and bell frames of historic significance.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred SK 3894 5257 (32m by 17m) (Centre) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | PENTRICH, AMBER VALLEY, DERBYSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (2)
- EDR923
- EDR1108
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Record last edited
Jun 3 2015 1:24PM