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Images Index> Matlock Bath, 20th and 21stC Images> This page |
| Holy Trinity Church, Matlock Bath - Interior |
| Matlock Bath : Twentieth Century Photographs, Postcards, Engravings & Etchings |
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Before they Call I will Answer and While They Are Yet Speaking I Will Hear.[1]
William Adam provided a good description of the early church in his various editions of "Gem of the Peak". "The transepts, and down each side of the body of the church, are pewed, while the centre is fitted up with comfortable benches, with backs and kneeling boards, as free sittings. We like this arrangement, not only for its effect, but because it enables the poor man to obtain as good a position for hearing and seeing as the rich"[2]. The pews, shown in a sketch in a number of his books (below), were originally boxed and the octagonal pulpit and reading desk at the corners of the transepts were enclosed within these pews. They were raised up so the vicar and whoever was reading the lesson could, presumably, have a good view of the congregation. The pews were later replaced by [oak?] wooden benches which have shaped ends, or angled corners, with roundels for decoration and brass supports on the sides for flowers, etc. Some of these pews still remain. The interior measured 95 feet in length, and from the tower to and including the communion table was 79 feet. It was 27 feet and 3 inches in breadth. The transepts were 53 feet long and 21 feet wide. "It is in the old English style ... and fitted up with great simplicity and true elegance". The vestry was then beneath the tower, with a small loft for the organ and choir. "The furniture, cushions, carpeting, &c. are crimson velvet and cloth"[2]. Mr. Edward Beaumont, who lived for some time at the New Bath Hotel, was extremely generous when the Church was built. Not only did he contribute to cost of the fabric and the organ but he also provided the communion plate. Two vicars, Rev. Pelly and Rev. Barker, jointly paid for a burnished brass lectern in his memory that was installed after alterations to the Church[5].  Adam's 1845 sketch. He noted that "beneath a very rich gothic window is placed the communion table, which is surrounded with ancient gothic woodwork, finished with pediments and finials, with crockets up the angles of the pediments, and oak railings in front"[2]. A vestry meeting held in November 1872 discussed enlarging and reseating the church. Those present viewed the plans and concluded that the Bishop of the Diocese should be notified of the parishioners wishes and of the need to obtain a faculty for the work to be undertaken. They wished to erect a new aisle, enlarge the chancel, add a new vestry, re-seat the church and take down "the present gallery". It was believed the £1,000 was required and they already had a "nest egg" of £360[3]. The original Bevington and Sons organ was advertised for sale in December 1873 in readiness for the alterations[4]. The stained glass window above the altar is in memory of Mr. Charles Clarke and was paid for by his widow. The
central compartment is a representation of Christ on the Cross, to the left are two apostles
and to the right Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene.
Immediately below the window is the reredos, divided into three
and surrounded by a cornice of Derbyshire marble, with pilasters
in relief. "The panels of the recesses are ornamented,
the central one with a cross, those at the sides with geometrical
designs, the effect of the whole being heightened by bosses of
local spars and marbles"[5]. In 1923 Canon Kewley, the Rector of Matlock, unveiled a memorial window the east transept in memory of Edward Greenhough (d.1899) who
had been a churchwarden here for forty years. It represents the Adoration of the Magi, with the Virgin and Child in the centre light. The
window was designed and the work carried out by the Nottingham artists in stained glass, Geo. F. Gascoyne and Son[6]. Over the years there have been many accomplished organists at Holy Trinity. One of them was Miss Phyllis Wright (1910-1966) of Beechcliffe, Upperwood Road, who had begun studying music at the age of five and had played the organ here for 21 years[7].
Some related images
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1. "Trinity Church Matlock Bath". No publisher details are printed on the sepia postcard but the lettering of the title indicates the photograph is by the local photographer Thomas Meredith Henshall, so would have been self published. Although it card contains no message, it was posted at Matlock Bath on 27 July 1908 to a Miss Aspell in Leicester. 2. Sketch from "The Gem of the Peak" (details below). Both images in the collection of and © Ann Andrews. Information researched, provided by and © Ann Andrews. Intended for personal use only. |
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[1] The text written around the chancel arch in the top image is from Isaiah 65: 24. Biblical texts were painted in a number of churches in the later nineteenth and early 20th century. Some survive today. [2] Adam, W. (1857, 6th edtn.) "The Gem of the Peak; or Matlock Bath and Its Vicinity". ... John and Charles Mozley, Derby and 6, Paternoster Row, London; Bemrose .... (own copy). The sketch was first published in the 1845 edition of his book. [3] "Derbyshire Times", 23 November 1872. Important Vestry Meeting. [4] "Derby Mercury", 10 December 1873. [5] Bryan, Benjamin (1903) "History of Matlock - Matlock, Manor and Parish" London by Bemrose & Sons, Limited. [6] "Ashbourne Telegraph" 12 October 1923. [7] "Matlock Mercury", 19 August 1966. In 1969 a new pair of double doors were
given to the church in her memory. See |
Read the memorial inscription.
