| St Michael’s Church, Shirley | |
| Coordinates: | 52.9713°N -1.6768°W |
| Location: | Shirley, Derbyshire |
| Country: | England |
| Denomination: | Church of England |
| Dedication: | St Michael |
| Parish: | Shirley |
| Deanery: | Ashbourne[1] |
| Archdeaconry: | Derby |
| Diocese: | Derby |
| Province: | Canterbury |
St Michael's Church, Shirley is a Grade II* listed parish church in the Church of England[2] in Shirley, Derbyshire.
The church dates from the 14th century. The north aisle was rebuilt in 1842 by Henry Isaac Stevens and the pews were placed. It re-opened on 5 April 1842[3] when all present were struck with the accuracy, simplicity and devotional effect of the singing by the parishioners of Shirley and Longford, who had been instructed for only a few months on the Wilhelm system, thereby proving its applicability to the improvement of congregational psalmody.[4]
The foundation stone for the new tower of the church was laid on 8 September 1860 by Francis Wright of Osmaston Manor[5] The designs were by Henry Isaac Stevens of Derby and the contractor was J.W. Thompson of Exeter Street, Derby.
On 27 January 1861, a number of the children in the church were overcome by fumes from the heating flue that passed under the floor.[6] Fortunately, there were no fatalities.
The church is in a joint parish with
A pipe organ was built by George Holdich and opened on 19 April 1857.[7] A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.
The church tower contains 3 bells, one dating from ca. 1560 by Ralph II Heathcote, and two from 1688 by William Noone.[8]