St George & All Soldier Saints, Derby

Introduction

The Italianate church of Saint George & All Soldier Saints in Derby, designed by J.S. Brocklesby, was built shortly after the First World War. Construction of Saint George & All Soldier Saints in Derby formed a memorial to the 48 parishioners who died in the Great War.

History

An area of immigration of workers to the Rolls Royce factory, established in 1907, was where land was donated after the First World War. Bishop Dunn laid the foundation stone of Saint George & All Soldier Saints on Saint George's Day, 23 April 1920, and opened the completed church on December 18 that year. Saint George & All Soldier Saints was deemed unsafe, C.A. Edeson was called in in 1925, and a substantial rebuilding took place in 1929. A new roof and an enlarged sacristy formed part of the 1929 rebuilding, which also strengthened the foundations, reinforced the nave piers and retained Brocklesby's tower and walls.

A Lady Chapel was created as a Second World War memorial in 1945, the year Saint George & All Soldier Saints became parochial. A reordering in the 1980s removed the stone altar from Saint George & All Soldier Saints. Mr Henry Pinchbeck was the patron of Saint George & All Soldier Saints.

Architecture and furnishings

Rock-faced stone, simple round-arched windows and a southeast campanile characterise Saint George & All Soldier Saints. The windows of Saint George & All Soldier Saints have stone reveals, and the nave arcades have square stone-clad piers and a barrel vault, possibly of concrete. Sanctuary glass from the interwar years, original to Saint George & All Soldier Saints, shows Saint George and Joan of Arc, and narthex glass shows the Miraculous Draught and Jesus walking on water. The south Lady Chapel of Saint George & All Soldier Saints has a simple arched entrance, an altar and a statue of the Virgin.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish runs an essential Baptism Preparation programme one evening before the baptism date. Adults interested in baptism and confirmation are advised to join the Sunday congregation and speak to the parish priest. Marriage is celebrated throughout the year, ordinarily reserved for parish members and their children, with arrangements made six months in advance and preparation courses required.