Ilkeston Town Walk - Stage 17 - St Mary's Church
w/e 21 December 2003
In this stage of the Town Walk, we take a closer look at St Mary's
Church. As mentioned in the previous stage, the tower was moved
westwards when the nave was extended in 1909/10. One cornerstone
at the foot of the tower commemorates the rebuilding and although
now well worn, the inscription can still be read: "To The
Glory Of God. This stone was laid by the Most Noble Victor Christian
William, Ninth Duke of Devonshire. November 20th 1909."
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Sixty three years after the rebuilding the last pinnacle to be
put into place had to be replaced but it has been retained within
the church.
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At first glance when entering St Mary's via the main west door,
the nave with the side aisles looks perfectly symmetrical with
stone piers on either side.
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Closer inspection though reveals that three of the piers between
the nave and the south aisle are of much older construction than
the others. These three and the arches they support are all that
remain of the original building.
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This view of the chancel also shows St Peter's Chapel and
several of the stained glass windows in St Mary's.
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And from the chancel we can look back down the length of the
church through the early 14th century stone rood screen.
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