- St John the Baptist, Tideswell
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St John's Church, Tideswell 
Coordinates: 53°16′44″N 1°46′21″W / 53.2788°N 1.7726°W Country United Kingdom Denomination Church of England Churchmanship Broad Church History Dedication St. John the Baptist Architecture Heritage designation Grade I listed building Architectural type Decorated Gothic Administration Parish Tideswell Diocese Diocese of Derby Province Canterbury The church of St John the Baptist in Tideswell is a Church of England parish church.
Contents
Background
The church is widely known due to its size and splendour as the 'Cathedral of the Peak'. It is one of the most famous churches in Derbyshire. It is a Grade I listed building.
The church, which replaced a small Norman church, was constructed between approximately 1320 and 1400. The building work was delayed by the Black Death. There are two main styles – the nave, aisles and transepts are in late gothic style, and both the chancel and tower are in perpendicular style.
There was major restoration in 1875 which was a genuine restoration rather than a reconstruction.[1] In 'Churches and Chapels in The County of Derby', Rawlins described St John's as being
without exception the most perfect and beautiful specimen of pointed architecture to be found in the County, - or perhaps in any other parish church of its size in the entire Kingdom.[2]
Memorials
Sir Thurstan and his wife Margret de Bower
There are brasses to Sir John Foljamb, d.1383 (restored) and to Bishop Robert Purseglove, d.1579, who is depicted in pre-English Reformation vestments.
In the middle of the Chancel there is an altar tomb. Within lies Sir Samson Meverill (1388-1462) allegedly one of the victors of Agincourt. The tomb has a marble slab beneath which is a stone cadaver decorated with an alabaster frieze. The tomb was restored in 1876.
In the South transept there are two chapels. The Lytton chapel has one of the old bells on the floor while nearby is the tomb of Robert (d 1483) and his wife Isabel (d 1458) Lytton. But perhaps the church's most notable features is the Bower chapel. This contains the rather impressive tomb of (probably) Sir Thurstan and his wife Margret de Bower. Their recumbent alabaster figures are well worn but remain impressive.[3]
Features
The ends of the pews have intricate carvings by the local, curiously named, Advent Hunstone. These show the sacraments; baptism, confirmation, communion, marriage, absolution, ordination and the last rites.[4]
The tower screen by John Oldrid Scott and dates from 1904.
Stained glass
Tree of JesseThe Tree of Jesse east window is by Heaton, Butler and Bayne of Nottingham and dates from 1875.
Organs
The church possesses two pipe organs. The main organ dates from 1895 and is by the builder Forster and Andrews of Hull. A specification of the main organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register
The chancel organ dates from 1979. It is an extension organ by the Johnson Organ Company. A specification of the chancel organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.
References
- ^ http://www.cressbrook.co.uk/visits/tideswellch.php
- ^ http://www.peakdistrictonline.co.uk/content.php?categoryId=153
- ^ http://www.cressbrook.co.uk/visits/tideswellch.php
- ^ http://www.peak-experience.org.uk/tourism/explore-the-guides/peak-experience-guides/peak-churches/attraction-details/StJohntheBaptistTideswell.html?ContentID=30
Categories:- Church of England churches in Derbyshire
- Grade I listed buildings in Derbyshire
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