Welcome to our website
This website is about a shared vision for a dedicated Arts Centre in the community of New Mills in The High Peak, Derbyshire.
The Preservation Trust has been in existence since 2004, committed to providing a viable future for the beautiful
Victorian chapel of St James the Less on Spring Bank. When the church closes as a place of worship and is purchased
by the Trust, the building will be restored and put back into sound condition.
It will be given a thorough makeover
and developed as an intensive-use venue for arts activities of all kinds. At the same time, its architectural integrity
and outstanding features will be conserved so that visitors will be able to appreciate the building’s important heritage
and its part in the story of the growth of New Mills in the nineteenth century.
For upcoming events please see our Events page
Good News
We now have planning permission for the restoration and conversion of the building, including the new meeting room, toilets and bar at the rear, as shown on the plans on this website.
The Church Commissioners’ legal team are working on the details of the Trust's purchase and we have now appointed a solicitor to work for the Trust. This means that, subject to funding, the project can go ahead. 
Our Heritage Lottery Application
As part of the successful round one bid, we were able to employ specialists to advise us on the work needed on the restoration of the stained glass and frescoes. Their detailed reports gave us an estimated total of £50,000 to be added to the other costs. Heritage Lottery have now asked us to increase our bid to more than £800k to cover the cost of more conservation work. We've been busy raising match funding but we still need to find another £100k. We have some bids in the pipeline but any help or suggestions would be welcome!
Representatives from HLF come to visit us soon and the decision is scheduled for March 18th. Fingers Crossed! If we get the nod several match funders will swing into line and we'll be going ahead while finding the rest.
Recent Events
Three events in the church were all successful. The sounds of the Dulcian Wind Quintet on 25 October made memorable use of the building's wonderful acoustics, and the concert was well supported. On 21 November the Music Studio Concert was a sell-out and as usual demonstrated the talent and quality of their students. Our December Christmas celebration featured members of the Friends' own selections of Christmas readings, with a selection of Christmas images and songs from the New Mills Community Choir.
Future Events
Take place until further notice at St James' Church, Spring Bank, New Mills at 7:30pm. Tickets from the Derbyshire Building Society, Union Road, New Mills, the Ticket Hotline (01663 746074) and on the door if still available. Tickets include the cost of refreshments. Friends get 50p reduction for tickets booked in advance.
Our next event on Feb 14th celebrates St Valentines's day with renowned folk musician Brian Peters in "Love, Lust and Loss"
We have a programme for the whole year, but if we have the go-ahead from the Heritage Lottery some of these events will have to take place elsewhere while the building is being restored and converted.
For details of future events please see our events page.
Funding Update
Our application to Derbyshire County Council's Small Arts Grant scheme was successful and we were awarded £1000. Chair of the Council, Robin Baldry, presented the cheque to Philip Kendall (chair) and John Fildes (Project Manager). Robin was "... delighted that we are able to offer you this support and encouragement. It is an exciting project and we wish you every success.”
Use of the Church
Although the church is now oficially redundant and the sale is being negotiated it has been used during Advent on a daily basis and daily prayers will be held every weekday during Lent at 4:30pm