OS grid reference SK 349 363 Country England Website St Werburgh's Church Opened 1894 Architectural type Church Architect Arthur Blomfield | Location Derby, Derbyshire Denomination Anglican Functional status Redundant Dedication Werburgh Designated as world heritage site 20 June 1952 | |
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Architectural style Gothic Revival architecture Similar St Werburgh's Church - S, St Alkmund's Church, St Peter's Church - Derby, St Werburgh's Church - B, St Werburgh's Church | ||
St Werburgh's Church is a redundant Anglican church in the city of Derby, Derbyshire, England (grid reference SK349363). It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building, and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. Samuel Johnson (Dr Johnson) married Elizabeth Porter (née Jervis) in the church in 1735.
Contents
It is currently preserved by Volunteers with the Churches Conservation Trust and open every Saturday from 10:30am for a few hours.
History
The oldest surviving part of the church is the tower which was rebuilt in 1601. The chancel was built in 1699. The remainder of the church was rebuilt in 1893–94 in stone from Coxbench quarry, the architect being Sir Arthur Blomfield. The style of this rebuilding is Gothic Revival in the manner of the 15th century. The church was declared redundant in 1990, and the body of the church, as designed by Blomfield, has been converted to commercial use. The tower and chancel have been vested in the Churches Conservation Trust. The tower was refurbished in 2004, and contains a chapel known as the "Johnson Chapel".
Architecture
The tower is in Gothic Survival style. The chancel has been converted into a side chapel. It contains many of its original fittings and furniture, including an elaborate wrought iron font cover made by Robert Bakewell. The reredos contains panels inscribed with the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer and the Apostle's Creed. Over the reredos is Queen Anne's Royal coat of arms. The stained glass is from the studio of Kempe, and there is a monument dated 1832 by Chantrey.
Organ
The church contained an organ dating from 1872 by Walker. After several restorations and enlargements it became a 4 manual instrument with 47 speaking stops. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.