 St Bartholomew's was built in 1851 by Stevens in
the Early English or Gothic style on land given by George Stephenson
& Company, Originally it had no spire, rather a stone slab roof,
and was lit by candles and heated by a large stove just inside the
south door. In 1857 the 70ft high Broach spire was completed with
stone from Bole Hill, Wingerworth to Stevens design. Gas lighting
was added in 1859 as was a vestry to the north side of the chancel
by G.E.Street. An organ was installed in 1864 and a pulpit in 1867.
The peal of six bells was mounted in the tower in 1874 and
in 1879
a William Morris stained glass window was fitted in memory of
William Morris, the engineer who perfected the link motion for
locomotives. This window was restored and protectively glazed in
2003. In 1885 the eagle lectern was given by the Houldsworth family
who were coal miners. The stone roof was replaced with green
Westmorland slate in 1896 and the following year the east window was
fitted. 1931 saw electric lighting installed and in 1953 the organ
was moved from the side chapel to the balcony. General repairs had
to be carried out in 1986 and some carpets were fitted at this time.
In 1993/4 the roof was completely renewed. |
1995 saw a new organ installed in the north east
corner of the church. The first phase of a reordering programme was
completed in 1998 that provided toilet facilities and meeting rooms in
the west end of the Church. The pews, pulpit and other items of Church
furniture were removed in 2003 to make way for the second phase of the
modernisation programme which involved work in the sanctuary, nave and
kitchen.
Other work to the building includes the complete
refurbishment of the bells in 2001 and the Church's flood lighting
installed in 2003. The car park was resurfaced in 2004. The work to
install a new sound and lighting systems together with the creation of
an upper hall area with a new office and toilet was completed in 2005;
all the works were dedicated by the Right Reverend Alastair Redfern
(Bishop of Derby) on 30th October 2005.
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