Visit & Explore Historic St John — The Cathedral of the Peak, Tideswell

"Large, Proud and Noble" — A Brief History

The majestic Parish Church of St John the Baptist is often referred to as "The Cathedral of the Peak" because of its grand scale and richly decorated fourteenth-century architecture.

Built almost entirely between 1340 and 1399 in the Decorated Gothic style (with its perpendicular west tower completed shortly afterwards), the building survived the Black Death of 1349 and stands as a lasting testament to the medieval wool and lead prosperity of Tideswell and the generosity of local benefactors such as the Foljambe, Meverell and Lytton families.

The architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner described St John's as "large, proud and noble", praising its spacious light-filled chancel, medieval effigies and brasses, and the remarkable twentieth-century wood carvings by local craftsman Advent Hunstone.

Read the Complete Architectural Guide Explore Tideswell Village

Photographic Archive of the Church

Select any photograph below to view a larger image and caption exploring the exterior, nave, transepts, chancel, stained glass and carvings of St John the Baptist.

Exterior view of St John the Baptist Church, Tideswell — The Cathedral of the Peak from the churchyard

The 14th-century south porch entrance of St John the Baptist — The 14th-century South Porch

Fourteenth-century window tracery and limestone masonry — 14th-century Decorated Gothic tracery

Carved stone detail beside the church entrance — Medieval carved stone detail

The 14th-century octagonal stone baptismal font — The 14th-century octagonal stone font

Detailed relief carvings on the octagonal bowl of the medieval font — Carvings on the medieval font

Digitised historical guidebook page 7 of St John the Baptist — Historical Guidebook — Page 7

Illustrated visitor guide to St John the Baptist Church, Tideswell — Church Visitor Guide Overview

Detailed architectural ground plan of St John the Baptist Church — Architectural Ground Plan

Medieval oak timber roof and stone masonry inside St John the Baptist — Oak Timber Roof & Interior

Close-up of ancient carving inside St John the Baptist Church — Ancient Carving Detail

Detailed oak woodcarving inside St John the Baptist — Craftsman Woodcarving Detail

Carved stone niche statue at St John the Baptist Church — Stone Niche Statue

Aerial photograph of St John the Baptist Church surrounded by Tideswell village — Aerial View in Tideswell Village