Derbyshire's churches – holding hands with history
Churches are important to our heritage and our history. Many have stood for centuries, a constant while the world changes around them. Each has a story of its own.
Church of Saint Mary and All Saints, Chesterfield, known as the Crooked Spire (1905) by Scott Russell & CoDerbyshire Record Office
St. Mary and All Saints Church, Chesterfield
The most famous church in Derbyshire with its dramatically twisting spire. Legend says the Devil caused the twist by kicking it in agony after a blacksmith drove a nail into his foot. The use of unseasoned wood in its construction is more likely to blame, though who knows...
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St Mary and All Saints Church, Chesterfield. Dating predominantly from the 14th century, building actually began in 1234 CE
St Mary's Church, Wirksworth
St Marys Church in Wirksworth is more famous for what is inside than for the building itself. Although the structure has been much changed over the centuries, inside is evidence of its Saxon and Norman origins with various stone carvings from this time set into its walls.
Photograph of carvings in St Mary's Church, Wirksworth (1900) by Thomas Polson LugtonDerbyshire Record Office
Considered the greatest treasure amongst them is the Wirksworth Stone, a finely carved Saxon coffin lid showing the life of Christ.
St Mary's Church, Cromford
The church was built by industrialist Sir Richard Arkwright, as his private chapel. Arkwright died five years before it was finished and on its completion in 1797, his son opened it up for public use. Sir Richard lies in the crypt and family members are buried in the churchyard.
Postcard of St John the Baptist church, Tideswell (1920) by Grenville Series for A. Harrison TideswellDerbyshire Record Office
The Church of St John the Baptist, Tideswell
Commonly known as ‘The Cathedral of the Peak’ due to its large size and magnificent architecture, the church was built between c1340 and c1400. With only sympathetic restoration since then, it remains a fine example of 14th century Gothic architecture.
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The Church of St John the Baptist, Tideswell
Repton, in the south of Derbyshire, was once the capital of the Kingdom of Mercia and the church (the first Christian church built in the Midlands of England), was named after St Wystan, a Mercian prince who was murdered by his brother. The crypt, constructed in the 8th century, where his body once lay, is one of the most important examples from the Saxon period in England.
Illustration of Derby Cathedral (1842) by William WoodDerbyshire Record Office
Cathedral Church of All Saints, Derby
Finally, we come to Derby Cathedral. The original parish church of All Saints was demolished in 1723 after it was deemed structurally unsafe. The church was then redesigned by architect James Gibbs in a Neo-Classical design and was awarded Cathedral status in 1927.
Chancel screen, Derby Cathedral (1987) by Dr Michael OckendenDerbyshire Record Office
Once inside the Georgian interior is bright and full of natural light. There are memorials to famous Derbyshire people such as Florence Nightingale, and extending across the width of the church is an intricate wrought-iron chancel screen made by local iron-smith Robert Bakewell.
