Report - Assembly of God Church, Alfreton, Derbyshire, October 2019

[HughieD]

1. The History
Very little history I can find on this place. Originally the building appears to have been an 18th-century manor house. It was then, at some point, converted into a Pentecostal Assembly of God church. Due to the lack of info on the place it’s hard to pin down when it ceased to function as a place of worship. The last reference I could find was 2013. Although, in places, it looks like it’s been left longer than that. But whatever its story, this was a really special place to explore.

2. The Explore
It was a really, really wet day. To the point that I nearly bailed and didn't go out. Having successfully visited a nearby site, myself and @Bikin Glynn (big up to you mate!) moved on to this place. I’d been past it a few times, but it was only when I saw @_motionlessinmike and his excellent recent report that I put two and two together. The place has obviously been empty for some time, but it is in very good condition. It’s in a very exposed position and entry was reasonably difficult and, erm, exposed. That and the weather explain the lack of externals. Even when we were inside, we were very still conscious of being seen. But wow. What a place. It’s a real mazeof a place with many rooms, spread over three floors. And no fewer than five pianos and organs. Overall, a fantastic place.

3. The Pictures

First room we came to was panelled:

img3827 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Really loved this room with its vintage posters:

img3831 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Creepers at the window:

Derbyshire Church 02 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And paint supplies:

img3834 by HughieDW, on Flickr

In the next room was an old free-standing bath and a dodgy floor:

img3839 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Up-stairs and there’s some serious decay:

img3843 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Derbyshire Church 08 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And lovely wallpaper:

img3852 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Then down, along and up to this gem of a room.

img3853 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img3855 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img3858 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Derbyshire Church 12 by HughieDW, on Flickr

On to the first of three rooms of worship on the first floor:

img3865 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img3861 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Derbyshire Church 15 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Genuinely surprised piano tuning came in at only £16 in 1980/81:

img3863 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Derbyshire Church 20 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Derbyshire Church 22 by HughieDW, on Flickr

The room next door had this beaut of a piano in it:

img3867 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Derbyshire Church 24 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And this one:

img3868 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Derbyshire Church 30 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img3870 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img3872bw by HughieDW, on Flickr

He died on the cross for our sins, you know?

Derbyshire Church 27 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And on to the third room:

img3874 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Derbyshire Church 33 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Derbyshire Church 34 by HughieDW, on Flickr

 

[HughieD]

PART 2:

Back downstairs:

Derbyshire Church 37 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img3879 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img3880 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And into the main room of worship which was in complete darkness:

img3882 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img3886 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Derbyshire Church 40 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Derbyshire Church 44 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Derbyshire Church 45 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And finally, the ante room off to the side:

Derbyshire Church 41 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Derbyshire Church 42 by HughieDW, on Flickr

 

[tarkovsky]

Lovely. Some nice shots here. I’d been trying to find the history too but couldn’t find anything. You saw some bits I somehow missed too, mainly cos I tend to stumble about aimlessly and forget where I’ve been. Much more interesting than it looks from the outside too, isn’t it?

 

[MotionlessMike]

Glad you made it in mate

 

[urbanchemist]

Nice to see some more from here - that thing you describe as a piano is a pump organ - wouldn't be surprised if it still works if you give it a pedal!

 

[MotionlessMike]

Nice to see some more from here - that thing you describe as a piano is a pump organ - wouldn't be surprised if it still works if you give it a pedal!

It does still work haha, fantastic sounding things!

 

[HughieD]

Lovely. Some nice shots here. I’d been trying to find the history too but couldn’t find anything. You saw some bits I somehow missed too, mainly cos I tend to stumble about aimlessly and forget where I’ve been. Much more interesting than it looks from the outside too, isn’t it?

Cheers @tarkovsky And completely! Normally it's the opposite way round.

 

[HughieD]

Glad you made it in mate

Cheers mate. Really fantastic place and well worth the effort. Just when you think you have seen everything in a particular area a gem like this turns up.

 

[Wheaters]

Those carnations have lasted well.

 

[HughieD]

Those carnations have lasted well.

Haven't they just!

 

[Calamity Jane]

From 1st shots I thought it was going to be small, then bang, its gets bigger and bigger. loving the chapel and old wooden pews. Also like the old metal buckets in first shots. Looks like a great place to explore. Some lovely work on that organ. :

 

[Gsxrwayne]

The pump organ does still work I did have a little video of mike playing it . Looks like you and better lighting than when we went

 

[HughieD]

The pump organ does still work I did have a little video of mike playing it . Looks like you had better lighting than when we went

Interesting point RE: the lighting. It was a really rainy day when we went so it was pretty flat - which on this occassion worked out OK.

 

[MotionlessMike]

I did have a little video of mike playing it

Not as good as your Felix the Cat theme tune in the tech college

 

[Gsxrwayne]

It was really dark when we went but we only had our little torches . I like the vintage electric fires down staires they are propa old school