REPOKT. 



of Aries, in the year of our Lord 359. But though Pentrich cannot 

 show any remains of a British Church, it possesses relics of that early 

 period in the materials (scattered over an adjoining field) of a portion 

 of the ancient road called Icknield Street, made by the Romans nearly 

 2,000 years ago, evidently from water-worn stones from the bed of the 

 river Derwent. 



The Church of Pentrich is dedicated to S. Matthew, a vacant niche over 

 the porch must once have, contained a representation of the patron saint, 

 which was most probably removed in Puritan limes, also the ornamental 

 stone cross at the end of the chancel roof, of which the empty socket siill 



remains. 



The style of architecture, you will have observed, is chiefly Norman. 

 A striking feature is the beauty of the arcade of pillars and arches, 

 which is much admired. Of the next two styles, the Early English and 

 the Decorated (I borrow this from Mr. Cox's "Churches of Derbyshire") 

 no traces are found, but the whole church, he remarks, seems to have 

 been renovated and enlarged in the Perpendicular period, about the year 

 1430- The design of the east window is said to be unique, and worthy 

 of attention. The old stained glass was probably removed at one of the 

 restorations. The new, which is well worth inspection from its being 

 thoroughly artistic, especially that in the south aisle, which is greatly 

 admired, was designed and executed by M. Capronnier, of Brussels. 



The tower, side aisles, porch, and nave are embattled, which gives 

 the church a castellated appearance, symbolic doubtless of the spiritual 

 nature of Christ's Church, militant liete on earth. 



A tradition exists that in olden times there used to be a house of religion 

 attached to this church, remains of which have sometimes been found 

 in digging graves on the north side of the church, but nothing exists of 

 it above ground. The font is considered to be as arcient as the church, 1150. 

 It was found about 35 years ago in the cellar of a former churchwarden, 

 and put to the use of salting beef. It is supposed to have been originally 

 built into one of the pillars of the nave. The pedestal, which is of later 

 construction and design, bears the date of 1662. 



There are five bells in the tower, three of wliich are of ancient date ; 

 one of them has the inscription "Ave Maria gratia plena," round tiie 

 others is a handsome border of flowers and foliage, bearing in one place 

 the name "Jesus " in old characters. 



The earliest register contains the declaration insisted upon by the 

 Parliament in the time of Cromwell, when all beneficed clergymen were 

 compelled to sign an agreement to conform to Presbyterian practices, or 

 resign their livings. One hundred and eighty signatures follow, consisting 

 mostly of marks, very few being able to sign their names. 



