St Anne's Church, Derby Explained

St Anne’s Church, Derby
Coordinates:52.9281°N -1.4905°W
Location:Derby
Country:England
Denomination:Church of England
Churchmanship:Anglo-Catholic
Dedication:St Anne
Heritage Designation:Grade II* listed
Designated Date:3 July 1998
Architect:F.W. Hunt
Style:Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking:1871
Completed Date:1872
Length:95feet
Width:26feet
Height:50feet
Bells:1
Parish:St Anne, Derby
Deanery:Derby North
Archdeaconry:Derby
Diocese:Diocese of Derby
Bishop:Rt Revd Paul Thomas SSC (AEO)
Priest:Fr Giles Orton
Asstpriest:Fr Bob Boyle and Fr Michael Brinkworth

St Anne's Church, Derby is a Grade II* listed Church of England parish church in Derby.[1]

History

The foundation stone was laid on 24 October 1871 and the church was consecrated on 26 July 1872 by the Bishop of Lichfield.[2] It was 95 ft long, 26 feet wide and 50 ft to the apex of the roof. It was built of Spondon best red brick, with stonework only for the pillars of the arcades and tracery of the clerestory windows. The architect was F.W. Hunt of London and the contractor was Robert Bridgart of Derby. Mears and Stainbank of London provided a bell weighing nearly 6 cwt.

After Father Michael Brinkworth retired in 2006 the church was unable to find a replacement priest and the church closed in 2013.[3] It reopened after just over one year after the PCC were able to find volunteer clergy to perform services every two weeks.[4]

The parish stands in the Anglo-Catholic tradition of the Church of England. As it rejects the ordination of women, the parish receives alternative episcopal oversight from the Bishop of Oswestry (currently Paul Thomas).[5] The Church also receives the patronage of The Society.

Parish Status

The current priest is Fr Giles Orton assisted by Father Bob Boyle and Fr Michael Brinkworth

Organ

When the church was consecrated, they borrowed a second hand instrument on hire from Mrs Smith of Park Field until funds could be raised for a permanent organ. The organ was installed by Brindley & Foster and opened on Ascension Day, 30 May 1878[6] at a cost of £370 . A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register. It is no longer present in the church.

Organists

Tom Corfield 2021-

Notes and References

  1. The Buildings of England. Derbyshire. Nikolaus Pevsner. Yale University Press. 1978.
  2. News: . Consecration of St Anne’s Church, Derby . Derby Mercury . Derby . 31 July 1872 . 14 April 2015 .
  3. News: . Tears and fond memories as St Anne’s holds its final service . Derby Telegraph . Derby . 9 September 2013 . 14 April 2015 .
  4. News: . Church Reopens. St Anne’s is back in business after quest for Derby clergy . Derby Telegraph . Derby . 28 November 2014 . 14 April 2015 .
  5. Web site: The Society: Diocese of Derby . 2020 . The Society . The Society . 10 April 2023.
  6. News: . Opening of a new organ at St Anne’s Church, Derby . Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal . England . 7 June 1878 . 4 June 2017 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
  7. News: . Derby Organist Resigns . Derby Daily Telegraph . England . 23 December 1930 . 3 June 2017 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .