All Saints RC Church, Hassop

This is the first time since beginning my journal that I have struggled for a blip!! I have been tied up in meetings all day and could not escape!!

In desperation, I stopped by at Hassop near Bakewell on my way home to grab this shot of what must be the most out of context building I have ever seen! And it is only one mile from home!

All Saints Roman Catholic church is said to be modelled on St Paul's at Covent Garden which was designed by Inigo Jones. It was built in 1816/1818 by the Roman Catholic architect Joseph Ireland as a private chapel for Francis Eyre of nearby Hassop Hall, a direct descendant of Stephen who succeeded to the title of Earl of Newburgh in 1814.

Stone for its construction was brought from a quarry near Baslow along the 1765 turnpike and toll charges were reported to be £10.

A secret passageway is said to exist which links the Church with the Hall.

Designed in the Classical Revival Style with an impressive Etruscan pillared portico, Grecian side windows, and Tuscan pilasters at the rear. Inside is a coved and coffered ceiling which resembles a barrel, an ornate altar which is believed to be of French origin and in the gallery, the chamber organ by H. C. Lincoln dates from the 1820's. There is also a painting of the crucifixion with the Virgin and St John and a monument to Thomas Eyre who died in 1833.

Note the typical Derbyshire stone house immediately next to the church.