All Saints' Church, Bakewell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids All Saints’ Church, Bakewell |
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All Saints’ Church, Bakewell
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 All Saints’ Church, Bakewell
Location in Derbyshire
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| 53°12′46.44″N 1°40′42.96″W / 53.2129000°N 1.6786000°W | |
| Location | Bakewell, Derbyshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | bakewellchurch.co.uk |
| History | |
| Founded | 920 |
| Dedication | All Saints |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Bakewell |
| Deanery | Peak |
| Archdeaconry | Derbyshire Peak and Dales |
| Diocese | Derby |
| Province | Canterbury |
All Saints' Church in Bakewell, Derbyshire, England, is a very old and important church. It is known as a Grade I listed building, which means it's a special historic place.
Contents
A Look at All Saints' Church
All Saints' Church has a long history, dating back over 1,000 years. It's a place where people have worshipped for centuries.
The First Church Building
The first church here was built in 920, during the time of the Anglo-Saxons. In the churchyard, you can still see two crosses from the 9th century!
During big repair work in the 1840s, builders found many carved stone pieces from the Anglo-Saxon period. They also found some very old stone coffins. These discoveries show just how ancient this site is.
Building the Current Church
The church you see today started being built in the 12th century. This was in the Norman style, which means it had thick walls and round arches. Only the front part and some of the main hall (called the nave) are left from that time.
Most of the church was built between 1220 and 1240. A tall, pointed roof called a spire was added in 1340. However, this spire was taken down in 1825, and the tower was also removed in 1830.
Major Rebuilding Work
Between 1841 and 1844, the church was almost completely rebuilt because it had become unsafe. This big project was led by William Flockton. After the outside was finished, they started on the inside.
- The church got new seats.
- Old Norman pillars in the nave were replaced with newer, more decorative ones.
- A new heating system was put in.
The church officially reopened on September 4, 1851.
Later, between 1879 and 1882, the chancel (the part of the church near the altar) was also restored. A new screen was added, and the floor was covered with marble. A new reredos (a decorated screen behind the altar) was also installed.
In 1897–98, a new room called a north vestry was added. This room cost about £700 at the time. Then, in 1906–07, the roof over the nave was repaired. Large oak trees were used for the new roof timbers.
Misericords: Hidden Carvings
All Saints' Church has three special wooden carvings called misericords from the early 1400s. These are small shelves on the underside of folding seats in the choir stalls. When the seats are folded up, the misericords provide a small ledge to lean on during long services.
There are also eighteen more misericords from the 1800s in the choir stalls, and one on a priest's seat. These newer ones were made in 1881.
Old Relics and Monuments
The church is home to many interesting old items and tombs. These include relics from the important Vernon and Manners families. You can also see a beautiful 14th-century baptismal font.
In the Vernon Chapel, which is a side chapel, there are several grand tombs:
- Sir Thomas Wensley, who died in a battle in 1403.
- John Vernon of Haddon Hall, who passed away in 1477.
- Sir George Vernon and his two wives.
Sir George, also known as 'King of the Peak', died in 1567. He was the father of Dorothy Vernon, who famously ran away to marry John Manners. Both Dorothy and John have a monument in the chapel. There is also a monument for their son, George Manners, and his wife Grace.
Outside the chapel, there's a smaller 14th-century monument made of alabaster. It's for Sir Godfrey de Foljambe (who died in 1376) and his wife Avena (who died in 1382). This monument is very rare. It shows Foljambe and his wife as if they are looking out of a window, and you can still see it on the south wall.
Beautiful Stained Glass Windows
The church has many stunning stained glass windows that tell stories and show beautiful scenes.
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Saints and Angels adoring the Lamb of God by Henry Holiday - A window in the north aisle from 1893 by Henry Holiday shows Saints and Angels worshipping the Lamb of God.
- Another north aisle window by Charles Eamer Kempe features St George and St Hubert.
- The chancel's east window dates from 1892.
- A window in the north transept from 1881 was made by Hardman & Co..
- The "Resurrection window" in the Vernon Chapel, from 1859, is also by Hardman & Co..
- The south transept's south window, from 1851, was created by William Wailes.
The Church Organ
The church's organ has a long history, starting in 1810. It has been rebuilt and improved several times over the years. Today, it is a large pipe organ with three keyboards and 42 different sounds.
Organists of All Saints' Church
Many talented musicians have played the organ at All Saints' Church over the years. Some of the organists include:
- John Fritche (1846–1860)
- Mr. Craddock of Truro (1860–1864)
- Frederick Burgess (1869–1873)
- Thomas Barker Mellor (1877–1913)
- Glyn Davies (1982–2016)
- Christopher Matthew Dell (2019-present)
All Saints' Church Today
Today, All Saints' Church is not just a place for religious services. It's also an important part of the town of Bakewell and the wider Peak District area.
The church is used for:
- Concerts by the Bakewell Choral Society.
- The yearly Commemoration service for Lady Manners School. This service thanks Grace, Lady Manners, who founded the school in 1636.
You can find more information about the church's current activities and events on its official website.
Parish Status
All Saints' Church is part of a group of churches in a joint parish. This means it works closely with:
- Holy Trinity Church, Ashford-in-the-Water
- St Anne's Church, Over Haddon
- St Katherine's Church, Rowsley
- St Michael and All Angels' Church, Sheldon
See also
- Grade I listed churches in Derbyshire
- Listed buildings in Bakewell
Images for kids
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A 9th-century cross found in the churchyard.
