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St Peter's Church, Edensor
St Peter's Church, Edensor, is a Grade I listed[1] church in Edensor, Derbyshire.[2] St Peter's is the closest parish church in the Church of England to Chatsworth House, home of the Dukes of Devonshire, most of whom are buried in the churchyard. St Peter's is in a joint parish with St Anne's Church, Beeley. The historic listing summary for the church states that it was built in the 12th century, modified in the 15th and "rebuilt in 1867 by Sir George Gilbert Scott".[3] ChurchHistoryThe original village of Edensor was located immediately next to Chatsworth House, but between 1838 and 1842 the 6th Duke of Devonshire had it demolished so it would be out of sight[2] over a hill. The planning of the new village and the parish church was overseen by Joseph Paxton. The church was built for the 7th Duke of Devonshire. Consecrated in 1870,[4] St Peter's comprises a west steeple, nave with aisles, chancel, north vestry and south east chapel.[5] A 2020 report states that the current church with its 166-feet-high spire, designed by George Gilbert Scott, was not built until about 25 years after the village was completed. It was a "replacement for the original squat-towered church that had occupied the site previously".[6] Derbyshire Council states that "Edensor Church was taken down and rebuilt in 1867, incorporating some of the old Norman" church.[7] Another source specifies that "very little remains of the Norman church".[8] The Council's research indicates that "the remains of two piscinas have been preserved" but does not state whether they are from the Norman era. Two features may be from that earlier church: "The nave is separated from the aisles by four pointed arches on each side, four of which belonged to the old church. The porch also, with some restoration, is a remnant of that edifice".[7] Memorials
Stained glass
OrganThe pipe organ was built by Bishop and Son and dates from 1873. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.[9] Organists
ChurchyardSir Joseph Paxton (d. 1865) is buried in St Peter's churchyard,[2] as are most Dukes of Devonshire and their families, including U.S. President John F. Kennedy's sister Kathleen, who was married to the 10th Duke's eldest son. Kennedy visited the grave during his presidency. Members of the Cavendish family buried here include:
Their graves can be found on the highest spot of the churchyard in the Cavendish family plot. The churchyard also contains three Commonwealth service war graves of World War I: a British soldier, a British sailor and a Canadian Army officer.[13] See also
References Wikimedia Commons has media related to St Peter's Church, Edensor.
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