Bakewell Parish Church

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9th century cross in the churchyear of Bakewell Parish Church

Bakewell Parish Church, (All Saints Church, Bakewell), is a Grade I listed church in Bakewell, Derbyshire.

1 The first church
2 The present church
3 Relics and monuments
4 The church today
5 External links

[edit] The first church

The church was founded in 920, during Saxon times and the churchyard has two 9th century Saxon crosses. During restoration work, in the 1840s, many carved fragments of Saxon stonework were found in and around the porch, as well as some ancient stone coffins.

[edit] The present church

The present church was started in the 12th century in Norman style however only the West front and part of the nave survive from that time. The remainder of the church was built between 1220 and 1240. The spire was added in 1340 but, in 1840, was completely rebuilt as it had become dangerous.

[edit] Relics and monuments

The church has some interesting relics of the Vernon and Manners families as well as a fine 14th century baptismal font. In the Vernon Chapel (off the South aisle) there are several magnificent tombs: Sir Thomas Wendesley (killed at the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403; John Vernon of Haddon Hall, who died in 1477; and Sir George Vernon and his two wives.

Sir George, nicknamed 'King of the Peak'^{[citation needed]}, died in 1567, is famous as the father of Dorothy Vernon, who eloped with Sir John Manners, both of whom have a monument at the South end of the chapel. There is also a monument to their son, George Manners and his wife Grace. Outside the chapel is a much smaller alabaster monument to Sir John Foljambe and his wife.

[edit] The church today

Today, along with its regular religious services, the church is an important building in the town and the wider Peak District. It is used for, amongst other things, concerts by Bakewell Choral Society and the annual Commemoration service of Lady Manners School when they staff and pupils give thanks to Grace, Lady Manners for founding their school in 1636.