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.
The Church Graveyard was closed
in 1878. Burials now take place in Danesmoor Cemetery
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