St. John the Baptist Church

Bamford Anglican Church dedicated to St John the Baptist is unique in Derbyshire, being the only church in the county designed by the renowned gothic architect, William Butterfield, who designed many churches and chapels notably St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Melbourne Australia, Keble College Oxford and Rugby School.

The Church is delicate and slender. Seen from the outside the spire reaches high into the sky and inside there is a feeling of great space and airiness; the long chancel being slightly non rectangular to increase the impression of length. The décor and furniture were all designed by Butterfield giving a harmonious feeling to the building.Built in 1860 by the Moore family, who owned Bamford Mill, the church still has a direct descendant of the Moores as its patron.Originally the Parish Church of the village, it became St John the Baptist, Bamford with Derwent when the Derwent dams were built and Derwent and Ashopton villages submerged in the 1940s; then in 1999 Bamford became part of a joint benefice with Hathersage; and now in 2007 the benefice is being further expanded to include Grindleford. All three churches share Revd Katie Tupling who lives in Hathersage. Assisting Katie with regular services are Readers John Brunskill and Roger Mather.

Katie moved to the Hope Valley in 2007 and service patterns in the three churches are still being worked out as she settles into the role of Priest in Charge. Bamford has a twice monthly 8 am communion service (1^st and 3^rd Sundays) and an 11 am service which may be Communion or Morning Prayer. We are also trying to do more together, so we will be having joint benefice services in one of the three churches; and also joint services with the other Bamford churches are becoming more common.

The Church notice board is the place to watch for week by week details.

The Church plays an important part in village life with the usual special services for Remembrance, Mothering Sunday, Harvest and Christmas but in addition there are services at the times of Carnival and Sheepdog Trials.Sharing with the other Christian groups, Roman Catholic, Quakers and Methodists is growing all the time through the Christians Together in Bamford initiative. We have joint worship several times in the year and the Churches work together for the open air gatherings: Christmas Eve carol singing and Blessing of the Crib, and the Well Blessing in Carnival week. We host many visiting campanologists (bell ringers!), as we had new bells and a bell frame fitted for the Millennium celebrations. There is a ring of 6 bells, fairly light since the steeple is slender. They are rung every Sunday and on special occasions. Practice night is Wednesday at 7.30 pm. There is a dedicated team of ringers who are always willing to share their enthusiasm and expertise with others.From the hills all around, Butterfield’s church stands out in the centre of the village, rising well above all the other buildings; a reminder of the central importance of faith and spirituality in today’s materialistic culture.

Contacts
Rector:            Revd Katie Tupling
Reader:            Roger Mather
Warden:          Jenny Mather

Bells: Elaine Frost

Forthcoming Events 2010
in the Church unless otherwise stated

2010 is the Church's 150th Anniversary Year

The special dates relating to the anniversary celebrations are as follows:

Saturday, October 2^nd

Celebration Meal at Sickleholme Golf Club.

Guest speaker Rev. Canon Andie Brown

Tickets £17.50 available from June 1^st - Contact Jenny Mather 651795

Saturday, October 9^th

9:30am to 1:00pm: Church and Churchyard Clean and Clear.

Excellent refreshments, good company and lots of fun guaranteed ... sunshine ?????

Saturday, October 16^th

Church Open Day with display of historical photos* and registers.

*(If you have photos or memories of special events in the Church please send a copy to Jenny at Blackberry Cottage, Main Road, Bamford S33 0AY.)

Sunday, October 17^th

10.00am: Celebration Service with Bishop Humphrey and Archdeacon Christine

Church will be open until 5.00pm.

Friday, October 29^th

7:30 pm: Quiz Night and Auction and Pie & Pea Supper in the Bamford Village Institute

Gather a group of 6 or join a table on the night.

Booking essential! Contact Jenny Mather

Other dates for your diary:

May - Saturday, 22^nd Plant sale

Sunday, 30^th 10am: St John's - United Benefice Communion

June - Saturday, 12^th: Church and Churchyard Clean and Clear

Saturday, 19^th: Afternoon Summer Fete

Sunday, 20^th 10am: St John's Patronal United Benefice Communion

July - Sunday, 11^th: Evening Well Blessing and Carnival Crowning Ceremony

September - Sunday, 12^th: Afternoon - Songs of Praise - Catholic Churchyard

October - Sunday, 31^st: Evening Bereavement Service

November - Sunday, 14^th: Remembrance Service

Dates yet to be fixed:

Christmas Fayre

Carol Service

Weddings

April, 5^th - David Adams and Claire Smith

August 21^st - Andrew Snell and Josie

November 6^th - Paul Charles Spray and Rebecca Elizabeth Platts