Memory Lane - Chapel of St Mary on the Bridge & St Mary's RC Church
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The Chapel of St. Mary on the bridge is one of only six surviving bridge chapels in England. It stands on the one remaining original arch of the medieval bridge, dating from about 1450, it includes 13th century stonework. The original bridge pier can be seen under the foundations of the chapel other remnants of the medieval bridge can be seen in the river.

The chapel used to charge a toll for people and animals to cross, and at the time St Mary's Bridge was the only crossing point of the Derwent into Derby.

The postcard above left is dated around 1900 and above right slightly later, note the boy scout on his bike! The picture on the left is more recent around 1966, St Alkmunds Church is visible

St Mary's Catholic Church was built in the Victorian Gothic style in the 19th century by A.W.Pugin, his first large parish church.

Work began on the £7000 project in June 1838, and the dedication tool place in October 1839.

The town's Catholic community had been growing steadily since the Napoleonic Wars owing to the large numbers of Irish immigrants attracted by the prospect of work in local mills.

A statue of the  Virgin Mary once stood, floodlit on top of the spire, it was removed in the late 1980's as it was found to be unsafe, these pictures were taken in 1980