[2] St Chad's was built by Joseph Paget after he inherited his parents' estate and consequently became a senior partner in nearby Pleasley Vale Mills.

In 1876, deciding that his household and mill workers needed a church, a chapel was built overlooking the vale, on the Derbyshire side of the River Meden.

The chapel was built of timber, painted white, by Cox & Sons of London.

After disagreement "over the style of services conducted in the church" Joseph Paget had the church dismantled and rebuilt just over the River Meden boundary in Nottinghamshire, thus moving it from the Diocese of Lichfield to the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham.

The church was reconstructed in brick and stone, with a bell tower and lead roof.