St Mary's Bridge Chapel

The Bridge Chapel, one of Derby's treasures, is a truly historic building. It is one of the few remaining such chapels in the country and records of its existence go back to the beginning of the 14th century. In days gone by, travellers leaving Derby would call at the Chapel to pray before setting out on a hazardous journey into the countryside beyond. The Chapel has seen many changes over the centuries and since the Reformation has been, at various times, a Presbyterian meeting room, a couple of cottages, a prison and a carpenter's workshop. Particularly worth seeing, apart from the building itself, are the modern stained glass windows, the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham, the Ronald Pope altar and the icon of St Michael. In 1588, at the time of the Spanish Armada, the Padley Martyrs spent their last night there before being hanged, drawn and quartered. Their remains were then displayed at the Chapel entrance as a warning to others. By the 1920's the Chapel was in ruins, but in 1930 it was restored thanks to the Haslam family. Since 1932 the Chapel has been in regular use as a place of worship under the care of the Cathedral.