Description: Showing one of the country's last remaining bridge chapels on the bridge over the River Derwent. These chapels were built to provide revenue by the collection of tolls from those persons who wished to cross the bridge as well as providing a place for people travelling to pray for safe journeys. Built by Thomas Harrison of Chester in 1789-94 to replace the earlier bridge, (the remains of which can be seen as the jutting arch from the base of St Mary's Bridge Chapel). The Bridge Chapel was restored from 1930.
This image is one of a collection by the famous local antiquarian, Thomas Bateman, of Middleton by Youlgreave. (1821-1861). Bateman organized his collection by inserting them into a 4 volume copy of Lysons Magna Britannia, Derbyshire, creating a fascinating and unique illustrated record of the county. The purchase of the collection for Derbyshire Libraries was made possible by the generous bequest of Miss Frances Webb of Whaley Bridge, well known local historian, who died in December 2006.