SK4641 : Church of St Mary, Ilkeston
taken 7 years ago, near to Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England
The church as it stands today mirrors the expansion of Ilkeston in the 19th century as an industrial town.
It comprises aisled nave with chancel and west tower, the chancel being flanked by a large former chantry chapel on the north side, and a substantial vestry on the south side.
As with many churches, the exterior is largely Victorian in character. By the middle of the 19th century, the medieval church was substantially dilapidated. The steeple had been destroyed by lightning in 1714 and the chancel roof collapsed in 1741. Major restoration completed in 1855 included the rebuilding of the tower and reconstruction of St Peter's Chapel on the north side of the chancel. This had also collapsed in 1714, and the fine 14th century arcade, blocked up since them, was opened up again.
In 1910 the nave was extended by three bays, the tower being dismantled and re-erected. The final stage of building was an expansion of the vestry on the south side of the chancel, completed in 1920 and dedicated as a war memorial.
Of particular note are:
- the three eastern bays of the south aisle arcade. Dating from the late 12th century in Transitional style, they have pointed arches but have Norman Chevron moulding and stiff-leaf decoration to the capitals. The equivalent bays on the north side are Early English, and were copied for the 1910 extension.
- the arcade into St Peter's Chapel, dated to 1386. The capitals are decorated with a remarkable series of Green Man faces.
- Early English 3-bay sedilia and attached piscina in the chancel
- the 13th century effigy of Nicolas de Cantelupe, also in the chancel
The church is Listed Grade II*.