Iron
Gate - Cathedral
(Written
by Wayne Anthony & Richard Felix)
The rapid increase in the population of England in the late 19th and early
20th century resulted in the creation of new bishoprics and several hitherto
'ordinary' churches becoming cathedrals. There was neither the time nor
the money to build the sort of grand new cathedrals which had risen in
Norman times, and new bishops were designated existing churches as their
seats. Thus, in 1927 All Saints' Church in Derby became Derby Cathedral.
Thought to have been founded by King Edmund in 943AD, All Saints' has been altered considerably over the centuries. At the beginning of the 18th century, the only thing that could have been said to have been striking about this church was its tower, 212ft tall - the second highest parish church tower in England - and built in the time of Henry VIII.
In 1723 the church was deemed unsafe and it seems that no one was prepared to do anything about it until a particularly courageous churchman, Revd Dr Michael Hutchinson, ordered that the entire structure - except the tower - should be demolished.
The decision was unpopular with local people but shortly afterwards plans for the rebuilding were submitted by James Gibbs, who became famous for many of his churches including St Mary-le-Strand and perhaps his most famous work, St Martin-in-the Fields, in London. The designs for a new All Saints, were accepted and work soon began, resulting in the magnificent church which we know today as Derby Cathedral.
Working in association with Gibbs was Robert Bakewell, an ironsmith whose striking wrought-iron screen remains one of the most notable features of the Cathedral's interior. Other notable features include the remarkable baldachino; several memorial carvings, many to notable Derbyshire families, one of which is Bess of Hardwick's monument which was built and completed within her own lifetime.
Another interesting memorial is a tablet on the south wall near the steps to St Katherine's Chapel, which commemorates an historic visit from Prince Charles Edward Stuart, who visited All Saints' in December 1745. The Young Pretender had marched with his army virtually unchallenged from Carlisle. On reaching Derby his troops were stationed about the town and the prince is said to have ordered the bells of All Saints' to be rung and, with his officers accompanying him, he attended a service at the church.
Several ghosts are said to haunt the vicinity of Derby Cathedral including that of Charles Edward Stuart, seen by a lady who lived in a building, now a shop, across the road. She told me her story of how she often sees a man in Jacobite dress walk into the Cathedral: "On many occasions I had seen the vague ghostly shape of a man in Jacobite costume walking near the Cathedral. Being familiar with the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his visit to Derby I presumed that it was the prince recounting his footsteps, perhaps trying to understand how it had all gone wrong for him. My mother once saw this figure and she too was convinced that it had been the ghost of Bonnie Prince Charlie."
It is interesting
to note that a ghostly figure in 'Cavalier' style dress has also been
spotted not too far from this spot at the Silk Mill public house.
Many other ghosts have been seen about Derby Cathedral including a 'white lady' seen walking down the steps at the back of the church, a young woman seen crying and a small boy.
Also said to wander
the grounds is the unhappy ghost of John Crossland, a former executioner,
originally himself a criminal, who was granted a pardon on the understanding
that he become the executioner for the sentence of death passed on his
father and brother. This he agreed to do and from then on became the busiest
executioner in the county, frequently being used by several other shires.
His ghost is said to be seen often wandering the grounds, at the side
of the Cathedral, seeking to find peace for his tormented and guilty soul.
The haunted steps at
the Derby Cathedral
The rear of the Derby
Cathedral
