Serbian Orthodox Church Of Apostles St Peter And St Paul, Derby

The Serbian Orthodox Church of the Apostles St Peter and St Paul stands in Derby’s quiet Normanton district. Built in the 19th century as Christ Church, it is a Grade II listed building of red brick with stone dressings. The church was designed by Matthew Habershon and later enlarged by Giles and Brookhouse. Sir William Evans laid the foundation stone in 1838, and the Bishop of Lichfield consecrated the church in 1844. A chancel was added in 1865, and the interior was refurbished in 1877 under architect F J Robinson. The building’s history reflects Derby’s changing religious life. After serving as an Anglican parish church for over a century, it closed in 1976 and was sold to the Serbian Orthodox community in 1977. The church retains an 1855 Francis Booth organ, now unused but recorded in the National Pipe Organ Register. Former organists included Tom G. Taylor around 1883 and Martyn Warsop in 1973. The transition from Church of England to Serbian Orthodox use marks a significant shift in the city’s cultural landscape. Inside, the church preserves its original architectural features beneath icons and Orthodox furnishings. The nave’s proportions and tall windows still show Habershon’s design. The chancel extension of the 1860s adds depth to the sanctuary. Though the organ is silent, its case remains as a reminder of the building’s musical past. The exterior’s simple Gothic style blends with the surrounding terraced streets. The interior now reflects Serbian Orthodox worship, creating a quiet place of worship in Derby’s urban fabric.