"The endowment deed of the new chapel at Cromford, by Richard Arkwright, under date 20th September, 1797, sets forth that owing to the extensive manufactures, the village of Cromford had become very populous, that it was distant two miles from the parish church of Wirksworth, that Sir Richard Arkwright (father of this Richard Arkwright) shortly before his death erected a chapel on a parcel of land called the Smelting Mill, containing in length, within the walls, from east to west, seventy-two feet, and in breadth forty-one feet two inches within the walls; that he had intended to have it endowed and consecrated, but that he died before its completion, leaving instructions for its endowment, etc., etc. The charges paid by Richard Arkwright for consecrating the chapel amounted to £65 3s, 6d.†

The new chapel is dedicated to St. Mary, and it is said that it herein followed the dedication of its predecessor, but of that we have no satisfactory proof.

The chapel, or church as it may now be termed, when originally erected by Mr. Arkwright, partook of the plain characteristics of that time, and was destitute of a chancel, It was lighted by a double tier of five windows, circular-headed, and having cast-iron frames. In 1858-9, it was greatly improved and "gothicised," by cutting down the two rows of windows into one, and dividing them with stone mullions and tracery. At the same time a new chancel was added, the west portico built, and the galleries and flat ceiling of the interior removed. The extent of these alterations, although the ground plan and walls of the 1797 chapel still remain, may be gathered from the fact that they cost the late Peter Arkwright, Esq", the sum of £3,000.

The small tower over the west portico contains a single bell, which is inscribed :-

" Edward Arnold fecit. Leicester, 1796. "

† Add. MSS., 6,666, ff, 355, 357.¹"

References:
¹ Cox, J Charles (1877) "Notes on the Churches of Derbyshire Vol II" Chesterfield: Palmer and Edmunds, London: Bemrose and Sons, 10 Paternoster Buildings; and Derby, p.574