Helping to preserve, protect and celebrate the Cathedral of the Peak for future generations.
The Friends of St John exists to help preserve, protect and celebrate one of Derbyshire's most remarkable historic churches.
Known as the Cathedral of the Peak, St John the Baptist has stood at the heart of Tideswell for centuries. Its architecture, history and place in village life make it an important building for worshippers, residents and visitors alike.
The Friends support the care and conservation of the church so that future generations can continue to enjoy and experience this extraordinary place.
We warmly welcome enquiries from anyone who shares a love for St John the Baptist — whether you live in Tideswell, have family connections to the village, or have visited the church while exploring the Peak District.
To express your interest in becoming a Friend or to ask about supporting the care and conservation of the building, please email the Friends of St John at info@cathedralofthepeaktideswell.org.uk, or visit our Supporting St John's page.
Below is the statement of purpose from the constitution of the Friends of St John (FoSJ):
"The ‘Friends’ is established for the restoration, preservation, repair, maintenance, improvement and adornment of the Parish Church of Saint John the Baptist, Tideswell (The Cathedral of the Peak) in the Diocese of Derby (hereinafter called ‘the Church’) and of monuments, fittings, fixtures, stained glass, furniture, ornaments and chattels which belong to the church, in the church and churchyard, for the public benefit. The site has a recorded history approaching a thousand years, the current building approximately six hundred and thirty. Our broader purposes are to afford the general public, and generations to come the opportunity to experience the majesty of St John’s and to allow continued Christian witness there. The Church is Grade I listed (since 1967) as ‘one of the most important of the county's medieval parish churches’."
The Friends of St John is honoured to have the support of our Patrons:
A member of the House of Lords and great-great-grandson of Cecil George Savile Foljambe (the 1st Earl of Liverpool in its second creation), whose tomb sits in the chancel of St John's and who generously funded 19th-century restoration work in the church.
Formerly Bishop of Repton in the Diocese of Derby (2016–2020) and later Dean of Lichfield, who supported the launch of the Friends of St John during her ministry in Derbyshire.