St Peter's Church, Edensor

Updated on Nov 26, 2024

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Location Edensor Denomination Church of England Completed 1867 Opened 1867 Diocese Diocese of Derby Heritage designation Listed building		Country England Dedication St Peter Deanery Bakewell and Eyam Phone +44 1246 386385 Parish Edensor Architect George Gilbert Scott

Address Peak District National Park, 1 Jap Ln, Edensor, Bakewell DE45 1PH, UK Similar Chatsworth House, Coronation Chair, All Saints' Church - Bakewell, Emperor Fountain, Gulliver's Kingdom

St Peter’s Church, Edensor is a Grade I listed church in Edensor, Derbyshire. St Peter's is the closest parish church in the Church of England to Chatsworth House, home of the Dukes of Devonshire, most of whom are buried in the churchyard. St Peter’s Church, Edensor is in a joint parish with St Anne’s Church, Beeley.

History

The current building of St Peter's replaced an ancient church dating from the 12th century. The original village of Edensor was located immediately next to Chatsworth House, but between 1838 and 1842 the 6th Duke of Devonshire had it moved out of sight over a hill. The planning of the new village and parish church was overseen by Joseph Paxton. St Peter's Church was rebuilt and expanded between 1867 and 1870 to the designs of the architect Sir George Gilbert Scott for the 7th Duke of Devonshire. It comprises a west steeple, nave with aisles, chancel, north vestry and south east chapel.

Memorials

The Cavendish Memorial, a magnificent early-17th-century church monument to Henry (died 1616) and William (died 1625), commemorates the sons of Sir William Cavendish and Bess of Hardwick. William (died 1625) was the 1st Earl of Devonshire.

The Barker family memorial commemorates a family member who fought aboard HMS Swiftsure (1804) in the Battle of Trafalgar.

Grave of Kathleen Cavendish, Marchioness of Hartington (née Kennedy, 1920–1948). Her grave is marked with a headstone and a plaque in the ground commemorating the visit of U.S. President John F. Kennedy to the gravesite.

Andrew Cavendish, 11th Duke of Devonshire (d. 2004), erected to commemorate his jubilee.

Organ

The pipe organ was built by Bishop and Son and dates from 1873. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.

Churchyard

Sir Joseph Paxton (d. 1865) is buried in the St Peter's churchyard, as are most Dukes of Devonshire and their families, including U.S. President John F. Kennedy's sister Kathleen Kennedy, who was married to the 10th Duke's eldest son. Kennedy visited the grave during his presidency. Members of the Cavendish family buried here include:

William Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire (1790–1858), founder of modern-day Edensor

Lord Frederick Charles Cavendish (1836–1882)

Lucy Caroline Cavendish, née Lyttelton (1841–1925)

William Cavendish, 7th Duke of Devonshire (1808–1891)

Spencer Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire (1833–1908)

Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire (1868–1938)

Edward Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire (1895–1950)

Andrew Cavendish, 11th Duke of Devonshire (1920–2004)

Deborah Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire (1920–2014)

The churchyard also contains three Commonwealth service war graves of World War I: a British soldier, a British sailor and a Canadian Army officer.