Nestled in the heart of the Peak District, the village of Tideswell is home to one of England’s most remarkable parish churches, St John the Baptist. Known affectionately as the “Cathedral of the Peak,” this 14th-century Gothic masterpiece has stood for over 700 years, drawing visitors from far and wide with its stunning architecture and deep-rooted history. Yet, despite its beauty, much of the church’s interior has remained in the shadows, with intricate details obscured by outdated and inadequate lighting. Until now.
After years of planning and fundraising, a transformative lighting project is complete, unveiling the church’s hidden treasures and making it a more versatile venue for community events. The project, costing about £200,000, has been a labour of love for the church and its supporters. The previous lighting system, installed over 50 years ago, was not only obsolete but also largely non-functional. With only a quarter of the system working, the church relied on haphazard fixes just to keep the lights on. The new lighting system, however, promises to breathe new life into this ancient building, revealing its most extraordinary features in ways that have never been seen before.
The new lighting system, designed to be both theatrical and functional, will highlight the church’s stunning architectural and artistic features, many of which have been hidden in darkness for centuries. In fact, many historical artefacts, sculptures, carvings and notes from craftsmen hundreds of years ago way up in the roof and eaves have been uncovered, which nobody previously knew were there. From the intricate stone and wood carvings to the towering 45-foot stained glass windows, the project aims to showcase the full glory of the church’s design.
The church has always been a focal point for the Tideswell community, hosting a variety of events each year, including school visits, concerts, professional theatre performances, and even a BBC Songs of Praise recording. These events bring in over 25,000 visitors annually, supporting local businesses and contributing to the village’s vibrant cultural life. However, the outdated lighting system has been a significant barrier to fully utilizing the church. The new lighting will create customizable atmospheres for various events, whether it’s a wedding, baptism, or one of the many community gatherings hosted in the church. Mike Burrell, the assistant church warden with a background in theatre, has been instrumental in ensuring the new system will meet the needs of both religious services and cultural events.
The new system, using LED technology, will reduce the church’s energy use significantly, cutting the power needed for full lighting from 20kW to just 4kW. This upgrade will not only make the church more sustainable but will also lower its operating costs, freeing up resources for other community initiatives.
“If you’ve been to the church before and you think you’ve seen it—you haven’t,” says Dan Rhode, electrician at Current Standard Electric, the company that performed the work. “You’ll need to come back when it’s finished and see it again.”