All Saints' Church, Alderwasley

All Saints’ Church stands in the village of Alderwasley, Derbyshire, on land once occupied by the ancient chapel of St Margaret. Built in 1849 by A.F. Hurt of Alderwasley Hall, it sits close to the hall so the Hurt family could attend services without leaving home. The church replaced the old chapel and opened on 27 September that year. Its Grade II listing recognises its architectural importance among England’s parish churches. The building remains a place where local worship continues alongside its historic role. The church belongs to a joint parish that includes nine other churches across the Derwent Valley. These range from St James’ in Bonsall to St Mary’s in Wirksworth, linking communities over several kilometres. The organ, added in 1880 by Brindley & Foster, still fills the nave with sound during services. Each church in the group shares a common heritage while serving its own village. Together they form a network of quiet stone buildings set among fields and lanes. Inside, the nave holds simple wooden pews arranged around the central aisle. The organ stands on the west wall, its pipes rising above the congregation. Tall lancet windows let in soft light that falls on the plain stone walls. Outside, the churchyard contains a few weathered headstones among the grass. Beyond the gate, the drive to Alderwasley Hall leads past parkland where the Hurt family once rode. The scene remains peaceful, unchanged by the passing decades.