Description: St Peter's Church was dedicated in 1824, financed by a government grant of £ 11,000 and £ 1,500 raised by public subscription. The church was built to service the religious needs of the now increasing local population, the medieval St John's Chapel becoming much too inadequate due to its size. The church contains one of the earliest church organs in Derbyshire. The church tower was originally surmounted with 4 pinnacles (these can be seen here), but these were removed in World War II. The church contains memorials to John Strutt II and his wife. It also contains a memorial to George Brettle who died in 1833. Church burials were discontinued here in 1859 when the town cemetery opened on Matlock Road.
Drawn by the architect M Habershon.
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.