Later Developments

There has only been one major structural alteration since the church was completed in 1839 and that is the Lady Chapel which was added in 1853. This was designed by Mr Hansom (of Hansom cab fame) and was said to be the largest Lady Chapel in England. The altar in the chapel was designed by Paul Pugin, son of Augustus Pugin who designed the main church. The eight large windows were initially of plain glass but in 1931/2 were replaced with stained glass by Messrs. Hardman of Birmingham. The 'red' windows showed the six Derbyshire Martyrs, three of whom (Nicholas Garlick, Robert Ludlam and Richard Simpson) suffered for their faith very close to St Mary's Church. These 'red' windows are interspersed with 'blue' windows which portray Apparitions of Our Lady, in different times and places.

With the building of the Lady Chapel, other alterations were implemented to the church. The large carved stone Stations of the Cross were added, eight to the church and the other six to the Lady Chapel. The carved stone figure of the Blessed Virgin and Child was installed at the left side of the Nave close to the altar steps. It is reputed to be to the design of Pugin and executed by a sculptor named Swayle. The statue of the Sacred Heart on the other side of the sanctuary steps was a gift of a parishioner, Mrs Sarah Gibson, and her initials are displayed on two shields on the base. It is not known when this statue was installed in the church.

A new reredos was installed behind the altar which almost filled the rear wall of the sanctuary. The carvings depict the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Adoration of the Wise Men, and the Flight into Egypt.

The plain glass windows of the sanctuary were replaced by stained glass windows, also by Hardman of Birmingham. The large three-light centre window depicts Our Blessed Lady carrying the Infant Jesus, with her monogram displayed below. The remaining space is used for a representation of the Genealogy of Our Lord in the mystic tree of Jesse. The other two windows on the right-hand wall show the Blessed Virgin and Child and St Thomas of Canterbury (a gift from the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury), and two Saxon saints formerly celebrated in the neighbourhood: St Werburgh and St Alkmund.

The right-hand sacristy was reconstructed to provide a side chapel and in it was installed a 'Pieta' on the wall above the altar. This depicts 'the lifeless body of Our Saviour resting on the knees of His Virgin Mother, the head supported by St John and Mary Magdalen is kissing his feet, while angels bend down in adoration.'