DERBY MERCURY 16 June 1847
CRICH — CONSECRATION OF ADDITIONAL BURYING GROUND
The inhabitants of Crich having for some time past experienced the inconvenience of interring their dead in an already crowded church yard, resolved, at a vestry meeting, to endeavour to enlarge the same by purchasing some additional land lying contiguous to the one now in use at the east end of the church, when, after various obstacles attending the purchase of the land had been overcome, and a substantial stone wall built enclosing it, the same was consecrated on Wednesday, June the 9th, by the Lord Bishop of Lichfield, in whose diocese Crich is situated.
Divine service was celebrated in the church. The prayers and the beautiful and unequalled litany composing the morning service of the church were very impressively read by the Rev. Thomas Carson, vicar, at the conclusion of which a procession was formed to the new ground in the following order:—
J. Stevens, Esq., apparitor, with his wand of office. The Rev. Thomas Carson, vicar; on either side of him were Mr. John Bacon, and Mr. Isaac Spendlove, churchwardens. The Rt. Rev. the Lord Bishop of Lichfield.
Rev. J. Halton, Wingfield Manor – Rev. H. Arkwright, Cromford.
Rev. J. Wood, Swanwick – Rev. J. Harward, Wirksworth.
Rev. J. Lund, Morton – Rev. J. Rushton, Brackenfield.
Rev. J. Nodder, Ashover – Rev. H. Pearson, Carsington.
Rev. J. R. Errington, Alfreton – Rev. W. Barber, Heage.
And several other clergymen whose names did not transpire.
On arriving upon the ground the deed of settlement was read over by J. Mott, Esq., Registrar of the Ecclesiastical Court, Lichfield, and signed by the Bishop. Afterwards, the Bishop offered up the consecration prayer; a few verses of the 39th psalm were sung by the choir, and a blessing pronounced, when the procession returned to the vestry in the same order as it arrived.
The day being fine, the novelty of the occasion attracted a numerous company of spectators, to witness the ceremony, amongst whom were observed: – F. Hurt, Esq., and the Misses Hurt, Alderwasley; the Misses Wood, Swanwick; E. Radford, Esq., Tansley; Mrs. Nodder, Ashover; Mrs. Carson, Crich; Thomas Lee, Esq., and Mrs. Lee, Crich; Mrs. Fletcher, Crich; W. Saxton, Esq., and L. R. Saxton, Esq., Crich; Mr. Hill; Mr. Wheatcroft; Mr. Woollat, Wessington Hay; Mr. Thomas Bowmer and Mrs Bowmer, Barn Close House, Crich.
The children belonging to the Sunday School were in attendance, and sung with much sweetness the various hymns selected for the occasion.
After the ceremony his Lordship, together with the clergymen and other visitors, retired to the vicarage, where they were hospitably entertained to a cold collation by the respected vicar and his lady.
Derby Mercury 6 April 1864
CRICH
It is with great pleasure that we announce the gift of a fine toned organ to the above place of worship by the Misses Hurt, of Crich Chase House. The cost of the instrument is £150.
Derbyshire Times 31 January 1891
DERBY BY DAY
By our constant observer
“Thank God there is House of Laws,” has been the pious ejaculation of many a politician in these days of levelling down. It is fortunate in the interest of ecclesiology and antiquity that there are such individuals as lay rectors. I am led to this remark on being informed that some members of the Restoration committee of St Peter’s Church are anxious for the removal of the beautiful carved oak rood screen and the large cross which surmount it on the ground that the appearance of the chancel will be improved. Fortunately the lay rector has not yet recorded his consent and I hope he never will. It may not be generally known that this very fine perpendicular screen once graced the chancel arch at Crich; but at the “injudicious restoration of 1861” it was ruthlessly turned out. The late Rev W. HOPE one day caught sight of the screen in a timber merchant’s yard, rescued it from demolition, and set it up in his own church. I hope the executive of the Derbyshire Archaeological Society will keep an eye to this interesting relic.
Derbyshire Times 31 October 1903
The parish church of Crich has invariably, in recent years, been referred to as the church of St Michael. This, I am informed, is erroneous, the church was dedicated in honour of St Mary. The earliest known document relating to Crich Church is dated 1175. In this it is recorded that Herbert FITZRALPH, son of Ralph FITZRALPH, first Baron of Crich in the time of King Henry I, confirmed his church of St Mary to Darley Abbey. And in all later documents it is referred to as that of St Mary leaving no room for the least doubt as to its patron saint.
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