As we announced last week in a lengthy descriptive account, the re-opening of the Whittington Church, which was destroyed fire January 29th, 1895, took place Friday week the ceremony being performed by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese (Dr Ridding) in the presence of a large congregation. Amongst the other clerics who took part in the dedication service were the Bishop’s chaplain, Arch deacon Frere, Dr Were (Suffragan Bishop of Derby), the Rev. J. Tomlinson (rector of Whittington), the Hon. Canon Littleton (vicar St. Mary’s Chesterfield), and the Rev. N. L. Aspinall (rector of Holy Trinity, Chesterfield). The service was an impressive one. Whilst the Lord Bishop and a procession which included all the ministers present the Churchwardens, and the choir proceeded up the central aisle, the hymn, “All people that on earth do dwell,” was sung with great heartiness.
Then the petition for consecration was presented to the Bishop near the altar and having been read, and assented to, was ordered to be duly entered upon the register.
Then the procession re-formed and proceeded down the aisle the font, which time the Psalm was recited. Having returned to the north end the Communion table, the Bishop there received the deed conveyance and endowment.
The font, the chancel, the Communion table, and the lectern and pulpit were each visited the Bishop and the appointed prayers offered. After shortened service from the Common Prayer Book, in which part was taken by trie Bishop of Derby, Archdeacon Frere, and the Rector, the Bishop of Southwell entered the pulpit and delivered an address based on the 13th and 14th verses of the 2nd chapter of St. Luke.
In the evening there was short service, followed by organ recital by the Rev. H. T. Spinney, M.A., vicar of Newbro’, and Fellow of the Royal Collage of Organists.
We are asked to state that the pulpit was the irift of Mr Holford and the Misses Holford, and the Glastonbury chair was given by Mr John Smith, Brimington. A very beautifully carved Litany desk has been presented the Church by J. W. E. and Miss Lottie Clayton.
The Rector of Whittington says, “We do not think the fire arose from over-heating, but from a defect in the floor, in which was let a beam, which probably had been long smouldering. As far we know, there was not an unusually high fire on that night (January 28th).”
BNA©Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald – Saturday 03 October 1896
