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; in 2007 the benefice was 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.

Bamford has a twice monthly 8am communion service (1st and 3rd Sundays) and an 11am service which may be Communion or Morning Prayer. We do some services together, every time there is a 5th Sunday in the month, or a patronal festival the three churches join together for a 10am service. Joint services with the other Bamford churches are also becoming more common. On the 3rd Sunday of each month at 9.30am there is 'Messy Church' in the Moore Memorial Hall, a joint venture by us and the Methodist Church. This is a more relaxed time with activities, stories, prayers and refreshments for the very young and their families.

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
Priest in Charge:            Revd Katie Tupling
Reader:                             Roger Mather
Warden:                             Elaine Frost and Elizabeth Wallbridge

Bells: Pam Willetts

Forthcoming Events 2011
in the Church unless otherwise stated

October 2010 to October 2011 is the Church's 150th Anniversary Year

Sunday, 11th September - United Songs of Praise at 3pm - Our Lady of Sorrows RC Church

Saturday, 8th October - 9.30am to 1.00pm - Church and Churchyard Cleanup. A whole village event!

Friday, 14th October - 7.30pm - A concert with Castleton Silver Band

Saturday, 19th November - 7.00pm - An Evening of Singing
Performances by Hope Valley College Choir, Bamford Primary School Choir, Valley Voices singers and guests.

Saturday, 26th November - Christmas Fayre - 2pm to 4pm - Moore Memorial Hall

Sunday, 18th December - A United Carol Service - organised by the Methodist Church and joined by Messy Church

Saturday, 24th December - Christmas Eve - 7.00pm Blessing of the Village Crib followed by carols on the Village Green
11.15pm 'Midnight' Communion

Sunday, 25th December - Christmas Day - 10.00am Family Christmas Celebration followed by a short Informal Communion