St Mary's Church, Cromford

St Mary’s Church stands in Cromford, Derbyshire, replacing an earlier chapel. The present building was designed by Thomas Gardner for workers at Richard Arkwright’s mill and finished between 1792 and 1797. After Arkwright’s death in 1792 he was first buried at Matlock, but his remains were moved here in 1797. Many other members of the Arkwright family were later laid to rest in the churchyard. The church is a Grade I listed building and remains an active parish church today. The interior was remodelled in 1858 by Henry Isaac Stevens, who added a Gothic-style chancel, tower and crenellated parapet. Wall paintings by Alfred Octavius Hemming were added in 1898, along with six tubular bells and new stained glass. Historic England notes the wide nave, lower chancel and lavish Perpendicular details. The paintings were restored in 2002 and remain the most striking feature inside. The church’s pipe organ was built by William Hill in 1859 and still stands in use. Visitors enter through a west narthex and tower flanked by stair turrets. The open Georgian nave leads to the narrower apsidal chancel at the east end. Large windows and painted walls create a bright, decorated interior. Outside, the church’s free Perpendicular style shows in its crenellations and tower. The surrounding churchyard contains the Arkwright family graves and offers quiet views of Cromford.