Our Lady and Saint Joseph, Matlock

Introduction

The Church of Our Lady and Saint Joseph in Matlock was opened on July 16th 1883. Designed by Derby architect E. Fryer and built by the Matlock firm B. Askew, the church cost approximately £700.

History

In 1880 a house in Holt Lane was rented and a chapel opened on the first floor, with the first Mass celebrated there on April 23rd 1880. Father George Le Roy, a native of Belgium, came to the parish in 1895 and was largely responsible for the success of the funding for the church in its early days. In 1990 a new parish priest was appointed. In 1995 that priest was released from the parish and appointed the first full time director of the Nottingham Pilgrims.

In 2000 a new parish priest succeeded the previous one, and the new parish hall was blessed and officially opened on 7th September 2001. A new parish priest succeeded the previous one in 2025.

Architecture and furnishings

A new liturgical altar was placed in 1969, made from Stancliffe Darley Dale Stone and designed by Smith and Roper, Architects for the Sanctuary alterations. The church is located at 1 St Joseph Street, Matlock, DE4 3NG.