When Chesterfield's Parish Church was constructed, it is said that unseasoned wood was used for the roof trusses, and the weight of the lead tiles caused the spire to twist as the wood dried out.  The spire is a landmark which can be seen from miles away.

And some views of the interior

Very cool. Looks like on purpose (and reminds me a bit of the prentice pillar in Roslin Chapel). Thanks for taking us inside as well. Love English gothic!

Ive never seen that before. Its a bit of mind game.

Blériot53 Posted at 10-31 08:44
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Awesome captures Blériot.    Interesting theory on how the spire twisted.  

DAFlys Posted at 11-1 00:35
Ive never seen that before. Its a bit of mind game.

There are many tales surrounding the reason for the distortion. It certainly wasn't built like that

DowntownRDB Posted at 11-1 03:12
Awesome captures Blériot.    Interesting theory on how the spire twisted.

That church has a long and chequered history. The spire dates from the 14th Century

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch ... aints,_Chesterfield

Here you go I fixed for it.

Blériot53 Posted at 10-31 08:44
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That stained glass is lovely.   Looks in great condition.

Wow!  What a beautiful church!

DAFlys Posted at 11-1 04:40
That stained glass is lovely.   Looks in great condition.

Some areas have been damaged by fire over the years, and consequently renewed - including the organ apparently.

scubaAnn Posted at 11-1 05:23
Wow!  What a beautiful church!

It's one of the best known in the county.

DAFlys Posted at 11-1 04:39
Here you go I fixed for it.

Haha. You've removed the town's claim to fame

Blériot53 Posted at 11-1 06:10
Haha. You've removed the town's claim to fame

lol.  Sorry couldn't resist.  

Blériot53 Posted at 11-1 06:10
Haha. You've removed the town's claim to fame

I never ceases to amaze me how well they managed to clean smoke damage from the masonry in old buildings like this.

DAFlys Posted at 11-1 06:15
lol.  Sorry couldn't resist.

That might be classed as digital vandalism

Blériot53 Posted at 11-1 06:17
That might be classed as digital vandalism

Only digital vandalism.  

DAFlys Posted at 11-1 06:15
I never ceases to amaze me how well they managed to clean smoke damage from the masonry in old buildings like this.

There's a lot of history and several fires.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_St_Mary_and_All_Saints,_Chesterfield

DAFlys Posted at 11-1 06:18
Only digital vandalism.

No harm, no foul

Blériot53 Posted at 11-1 06:00
It's one of the best known in the county.

Blériot53 Posted at 11-1 06:21
No harm, no foul

Easily undone with Cmd-Z.   (Not Ctrl)

Quite an amazing feet of craftmanship.
And nice shots!

Montfrooij Posted at 11-1 06:48
Quite an amazing feet of craftmanship.
And nice shots!

Thanks Monty.  It didn't begin life that way. The distortion has developed over several centuries, and the displacement from vertical is almost 3 metres now.

Blériot53 Posted at 11-1 08:43
Thanks Monty.  It didn't begin life that way. The distortion has developed over several centuries, and the displacement from vertical is almost 3 metres now.

Was it intentional, or not?

Montfrooij Posted at 11-1 08:47
Was it intentional, or not?

It was not intentional. The carpenters used unseasoned timber, which eventually warped under the weight of the tiles.  There is some debate as to whether it is now becoming unsafe but, like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, it seems to defy gravity

Blériot53 Posted at 11-1 08:52
It was not intentional. The carpenters used unseasoned timber, which eventually warped under the weight of the tiles.  There is some debate as to whether it is now becoming unsafe but, like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, it seems to defy gravity

Oh wow.
THat makes it quite interesting even.
Is it bending more, or did that stop?

Montfrooij Posted at 11-2 00:31
Oh wow.
THat makes it quite interesting even.
Is it bending more, or did that stop?

It is constantly monitored. I believe there was some discussion about demolition for safety reasons.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch ... aints,_Chesterfield

Blériot53 Posted at 11-2 00:36
It is constantly monitored. I believe there was some discussion about demolition for safety reasons.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_St_Mary_and_All_Saints,_Chesterfield

I hope they don't have to.
But then again, re building it is probably too expensive these days.

Montfrooij Posted at 11-2 00:46
I hope they don't have to.
But then again, re building it is probably too expensive these days.

Somehow, funding for repairs to iconic buildings always seems to be found (Notre Dame, The Tower of  Pisa, etc. )

Blériot53 Posted at 11-2 00:58
Somehow, funding for repairs to iconic buildings always seems to be found (Notre Dame, The Tower of  Pisa, etc. )

If they are iconic enough for sure!