Church of The Annunciation, Chesterfield

Introduction

The Church of The Annunciation in Chesterfield, within the Diocese of Hallam, was founded by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1854.

History

The foundation stone was laid in 1852 and the building was opened in 1854. The chancel was consecrated in 1856. The organ, installed in 1881, was built by Henry Willis Senior, ‘Father Willis’, of Henry Willis and Sons. William Arkwright of Sutton Scarsdale Hall donated the east window in 1884 and further furnishings, vestments and a statue in 1889.

A new pulpit was added in 1887. The altar, installed in the late-C19, is attributed to Sebastian Pugin Powell. A war memorial taking the form of a crucifix was unveiled in 1919. In 1980, Chesterfield and other parts of north Derbyshire became part of the newly created Diocese of Hallam. December 2017 saw the completion of the church’s most recent scheme of refurbishment.

Architecture and furnishings

The church is constructed of coursed, buff rubble stone with ashlar quoins and window dressings, beneath slate roofs. The church has a rectangular plan with a tower above a narthex to the south, a central nave with aisles, and a sacristy, chancel, and lady chapel to the north. The tower has a hipped, slate roof and a hexagonal corner turret to the east, with a short spire and five levels of slit windows to its south face. The church’s statuary includes a figure of St Patrick by AB Wall of Cheltenham (1889), a Sacred Heart by Mayer of Munich, a white marble Pietà after Michelangelo and a marble statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

The mosaic Stations of the Cross possibly date to 1921 by the Benedict Ecclesiastical Art Company, which supplied the war memorial. Several late-C19 and early-C20 stained-glass windows are attributed to Hardman. The narthex contains marble-like columns and stained glass dating to around 2000, designed by Michael Murphy. The intricately carved reredos has statues set beneath ornate canopies.

A double colonnade separates the sanctuary from the Lady Chapel, which has decorative brass and ironwork altar rails. Painted images and motifs appear on the ceilings of the sanctuary and Lady Chapel, and above the chancel arch. The window immediately before the sacristy entrance shows a priest saying Mass before a group of Jesuits including St Ignatius Loyola and St Francis Xavier.

Music and liturgy

The full choir rehearses at least once a month, with additional rehearsals at Christmas and Easter. The church has two organs to accompany worship. In April 2024 the church celebrated its two organs with an open console day.

Parish life

The parish holds a Parish Jumble Sale in the Church of the Annunciation Hall. The Parish Rosary Group prays the Rosary from home via Zoom on Tuesdays.

The parish is involved in the Mary’s Meals Backpack project, which provides children in developing countries with school-wares and clothes. The Chesterfield Circle of the Catenian welcomes new members.

Regular events

The Bereavement Group offers an open, friendly gathering for family support, prayer, friendship and refreshments in the Church of the Annunciation Hall.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The RCIA meets in the Church of the Annunciation Parish Centre Library, and all groups are led by the priests and a qualified catechist. Baptisms normally take place once a month on a Sunday outside of Lent. Some baptisms may occur during one of the Sunday Masses in the presence of the parish community. For a wedding at the Church of the Annunciation, one party must be a Baptised Catholic, resident within the Parish, or have the express permission of their Parish Priest/Bishop if resident outside the Diocese of Hallam.