ELTON
Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Promoted and produced by Colin Swindell on behalf of Elton Parish Council,
available at End Cottage, Well Street, Elton, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 2BY
available at End Cottage, Well Street, Elton, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 2BY
Village Website
Elton All Saints Church
In Henry II’s reign (1154-1189) Elton was one of five chapels of Youlgreave granted to St Mary’s Abbey, Leicester. Elton remained linked with Youlgreave until 1725 when the freeholders and other inhabitants of Elton manor and township took over. In 1866 a new parish was formed. Elton became a joint benefice with Winster in 1948, and with Winster and South Darley in 1982. In 2003 Elton joined the Wirksworth Team Ministry and since 2007 has been part of the Wirksworth Mission and Ministry Area.
Elton church has never been wealthy: up to the 17th century there was insufficient income to maintain even a junior clergyman. In 1695 the freeholders of Elton successfully petitioned the bishop to allow them to work a vein of lead ore under the chapel yard to fund a curate from the proceeds (would anyone do that now, I wonder?), but there was still no settled curate in 1716. The situation was eased in 1725 by Queen Anne’s Bounty which matched the benefaction of £200 received from the freeholders.
The mediaeval church was dedicated to St Margaret. There was a nave, side aisles, south porch, chancel and a tower with a low spire. There was accommodation for a congregation of 220 but no provision for the poor. By 1887, however, this had changed: all the seats were available to all comers.
West view of Elton All Saints Church
The 12th century font in the old church is no longer to be seen. During the rebuilding it was removed to the churchyard where it remained until 1833 when the Rev Benjamin Pidcock, vicar of Youlgreave ‘stole’ it as a garden ornament before having it installed in Youlgreave church. In the 1870s the curate, churchwardens and freeholders asked for the font’s return-to no avail (perfidious Youlgreave clergy?). The Lord of the Manor, William Pole Thornhill, paid for a replica for the church, and there it stands today. Further alterations and improvements were made in the 19th century.
In 1869 the flat roof was removed and renewed. A number of stained glass windows were inserted with ‘gothicised’ pointed arches. By 1879 when the floors and internal fittings were renewed, the south porch had been built - all by public subscription. A vestry was added in 1886 and a clock in 1888. The church had an organ by 1898, and in that year heating installed. This was replaced by gas central heating in 2003.
In 1869 the flat roof was removed and renewed. A number of stained glass windows were inserted with ‘gothicised’ pointed arches. By 1879 when the floors and internal fittings were renewed, the south porch had been built - all by public subscription. A vestry was added in 1886 and a clock in 1888. The church had an organ by 1898, and in that year heating installed. This was replaced by gas central heating in 2003.
The tower houses six bells. The tenor bell, still in use, dates from 1580 and was cast by Henry Dand of Nottingham. Two others were cast by Henry and George Oldfield of Nottingham, in 1603 and 1638. These were the only bells in the tower in 1823. The 17th century bells were recast in 1907 and two further bells added. The treble bell was added in 1997, funded by local subscription.
The church acquired the current chamber organ in 1953, a gift from Miss Johnson in memory of her father. Construction of the new west gallery and organ was begun in 2002. The church plate consists of a Wafer-box presented in memory of Thomas Henry Critchlow in 1952. The Paten and Chalice were presented the following year in memory of George Boam.
The village War Memorial in memory of the eleven men who died in the First World War is a stained glass window on the north side of the church and dedicated in 1920. There is a memorial plaque, dedicated in 1954, in honour of the two men who fell in the Second World War. The oak vestry screen was erected in 1970, and in 1977 the graveyard was extended on the north side of the church.
After a programme of fundraising in the village the church roof was renewed and repairs carried out on the tower stonework in 2007 with financial aid from English Heritage, Derbyshire Churches and Chapels Preservation Trust and, in principle, the Georgian Group. Interior refurbishment continues, together with plans for a Garden of Remembrance, community space and improved access for the disabled.
The church is open daily and welcomes visitors.
Contact Information
For further enquiries about Elton All Saints Church, contact Bridget Page using the details below.
Telephone: 01629 650 326
Address: 2 Chapel Croft, Back Lane, Elton Matlock DE4 2DB
Email: bridgetkenneth@aol.com
The church acquired the current chamber organ in 1953, a gift from Miss Johnson in memory of her father. Construction of the new west gallery and organ was begun in 2002. The church plate consists of a Wafer-box presented in memory of Thomas Henry Critchlow in 1952. The Paten and Chalice were presented the following year in memory of George Boam.
The village War Memorial in memory of the eleven men who died in the First World War is a stained glass window on the north side of the church and dedicated in 1920. There is a memorial plaque, dedicated in 1954, in honour of the two men who fell in the Second World War. The oak vestry screen was erected in 1970, and in 1977 the graveyard was extended on the north side of the church.
After a programme of fundraising in the village the church roof was renewed and repairs carried out on the tower stonework in 2007 with financial aid from English Heritage, Derbyshire Churches and Chapels Preservation Trust and, in principle, the Georgian Group. Interior refurbishment continues, together with plans for a Garden of Remembrance, community space and improved access for the disabled.
The church is open daily and welcomes visitors.
Contact Information
For further enquiries about Elton All Saints Church, contact Bridget Page using the details below.
Telephone: 01629 650 326
Address: 2 Chapel Croft, Back Lane, Elton Matlock DE4 2DB
Email: bridgetkenneth@aol.com
The church was in a bad state by the end of the 18th century. Extensive mine workings had led to subsidence, and the walls had been propped and clamped for years. The spire collapsed in 1805 and the decision was taken to rebuild the church completely. Construction began in 1808 and was completed in 1816 at a cost of almost £1230. The new church, dedicated to All Saints, is built of grit stone under a slate roof. At the west end of the nave there is a gallery, but there was no vestry, no organ, and no tower clock .
Elton Church Services
For a complete list of services and Christmas Services, please visit the 'Elton Notice Board' by clicking here.
For a complete list of services and Christmas Services, please visit the 'Elton Notice Board' by clicking here.
East View of Elton Church