Welcome to the Parish Church of St Giles

Welcome to St Giles Church, a Grade II* listed building. We look forward to showing you around and telling you about our lovely church. We hope you will enjoy your visit.

Killamarsh is mentioned in the Domesday Book. It was called 'Chinewoldmaresc', which means a marshy settlement belonging to Chinewold. There is no mention of a church at this time but there is evidence that this was a Christian community well before the Norman Conquest, as we have an earlier stone preaching cross just outside the present building.

The present church was started in the 12th century, probably on the site of an earlier wooden building. Originally, it was an oblong building with a flat lead roof. The tower was added in the 15thcentury and various alterations were made in the 19thcentury. These included the rebuilding of the chancel in the 1840s, a new high pitched roof and the addition of the north aisle and vestry, leaving us with the building we have today. Killamarsh has only been an independent parish since 1843. Prior to this, it was a parochial chapelry to the Parish of Eckington. One of our former incumbents, Revd Francis Metcalfe, left a remarkable history of life in this mining community. He wrote a book called "Colliers and I". It was published in 1903 and gives a fascinating account of life in the parish and the social conditions at that time.

Canals, coal, railways and the first transatlantic telegraph cable all have connections with industry in Killamarsh. The Chesterfield canal, which was routed through Killamarsh, boasted the longest tunnel in the country, accessed via a flight of 13 locks. Sadly, the canal closed in 1907 and the last colliery closed in the late 1980s, although there are plans to restore the former for leisure use. Railways are still evident but we no longer have the three stations we used to have. Our industrial heritage still continues, with Ross & Catherall, the successors to the company who made the armouring wire for the transatlantic cable, still operating and several new industrial estates provide employment for many people from our community. We are a community with a strong sense of our heritage, but one which is embracing our future.

See Building Plan (Seperate Window)

South Doorway (1)

The south wall is the oldest part of the present church, dating back to the 12thcentury. Norman chevron carving can be seen around the archway.

The Font (2)

As you enter the church,you will see a wooden table on your left hand side. This is believed to have been a Jacobean altar, used for sometime beforethe present stone altar was installed in the 19th century.

Behind this is the font which has a unique history. It is of Norman origin but was removed at some time inthe mid 19th century, when a new font was installed. The latter can be seen to the right of the tower. The old font was found being used by a cobbler for soaking leather. It was re-purchased for the sum of 30 shillings and set up in the churchyard. It remained there until 1944 when it was restored to its rightful place in the church. Indentations in the rim of the font where the cobbler sharpened his knives can be clearly seen.

Memorial Window (3)

Behind the font is the memorial window to those who died in the two world wars. It is the only war memorial in the parish and has the names of the fallen on tablets outside the window. It is a feature of our Remembrance Service each year.

Stained Glass Windows (4)

Now make your way down the nave towards the chancel. As you do so, please admire the various stained glass windows to your right in the south wall. They were donated by prominent local families. Among them, notice those depicting Faith, Hope and Charity.

Crucifix (5)

As you walk down the nave, look upwards, above the pulpit which is dedicated to Revd Edward H Smith, the first Rector of Killamarsh. Here you will see a Crucifix brought to Killamarsh from Oberammergau in remembrance of a mission there in 1900. Imagine what it is like preaching from the pulpit knowing you are under the gaze of Jesus Christ.

Chancel (6)

When the chancel was rebuilt in the 19th century, its ceiling was painted blue and had gold stars depicting the heavens. In a subsequent redecoration, the ceiling was painted white and the stars were painted in many colours.

The chancel was restored with the help of English Heritage in 1997 and returned to its original colour scheme. Members of the congregation gave donations to pay for the new stars. As you lower your gaze, take in the magnificent east window, dating from 1845, and the altar reredos with its reverential figures and intricately detailed carving.

Madonna & Child Window (7)

In the south wall of the chancel we have something very special. This is a beautiful stained glass window depicting the Madonna and Child, dating from the 15u1century. Look closely and you will see that our Lord is shown as a child with a man's head, hands and feet to symbolise wisdom and age. It is believed to be one of the finest examples of medieval stained glass in the Diocese of Derby.

North Aisle (8)

The north aisle and vestry are the most recent addition to the church building we have today. There were originally plans for a similar addition to the south aisle of the building, to accommodate the large numbers of people attending services, but they were not implemented. At the west end of the aisle, you can see the trowel used in laying the foundation stone of the extension, together with a report of the days events-quite a wet day, according to the account. Here you can also see the Victorian font, which was removed when the Norman font was reinstated. Notice the carvings of fish in panels around the font. They are common symbols of the Christian faith used by the early church.

Bell Tower (9)

The tower houses a peal of six bells, originally installed in 1845 and most recently refurbished and re-hung in the late 1980s. Bell ringers worldwide will know of Killamarsh's long-standing bell ringing tradition as one of the standard methods of change ringing, Killamarsh Treble Bob, was composed here.

The tour hasn't finished yet but before you leave our church, don't forget to sign the visitor's book!

The Churchyard (10)

As you leave the church turn left and spare a few moments to look at the memorial on the south wall to John Wright. The inscription reads:

To the memory of John Wright, a pauper of this parish, who died May 4'h, 1797, in the hundred and third year of his age. He was of middle size, temperate and cheerful, and in the trying situation of darkness, poverty and old age, bore his infirmities with such Christian meekness as excited the benevolence of good men, and is here recorded as an instructive lesson to others.

Revd Christopher Alderson. B.D. P.P.P.Anno Dni. 1797.

If you then continue along the path, you will see the village stocks, which have not been used for their original purpose for many years. Turning back to take your leave of our church, you will pass the preaching cross mentioned earlier. a reminder that the Christian faith has been proclaimed here for centuries and will continue to be proclaimed for generations to come.

Who was St. Giles?

SAINT GILES, whose name has been held in great veneration for several ages in France and England, is said to have been an Athenian by birth, and of noble extraction. His extraordinary piety and learning drew the admiration of the world upon him in such a manner that it was impossible for him to enjoy in his own country that obscurity and retirement which was the chief object of his desires on earth. He therefore sailed to France, and chose an hermitage first in the open deserts near the mouth of the Rhone, afterward near the river Gard, and lastly in a forest in the diocese of Nismes. He passed many years in this close solitude, living on wild herbs or roots and water, and conversing only with God. We read in his life that he was for some time nourished with the milk of a hind in the forest, which, being pursued by hunters, fled for refuge to the Saint, who was thus discovered. The reputation of the sanctity of this holy hermit was much increased by many miracles which he wrought, and which rendered his name famous throughout all France. St. Giles was highly esteemed by the French king, but could not be prevailed upon to forsake his solitude. He, however, admitted several disciples, and settled excellent discipline in the monastery of which he was the founder, and which, in succeeding ages, became a flourishing abbey of the Benedictine Order.

REFLECTION.—He who accompanies the exercises of contemplation and arduous penance with zealous and undaunted endeav­ors to conduct others to the same glorious term with himself, shall be truly great in the kingdom of heaven.

ref: http://www.jesus-passion.com/saint_giles.htm