Large mediaeval church of ashlar with nave, aisles, north and south transepts and chancel flanked by 4 chapels, originally Guild Chapels. Crossing tower with 228 ft high spire of timber clad with herringbone lead plates. The spire, due to warping, is twisted and leans several feet in each of 3 directions. Extant architectural features generally of Early English, Decorated and Perpendicular styles but north transept rebuilt in 1769 and church restored by Gilbert Scott in 1843. C18 Schnetzer organ destroyed by fire. South transept screen of circa 1500, north transept. Holy Cross Chapel circa 1503 and St Katherine's Chapel north transept, contains part of original rood screen of circa 1475. Pair of brass chandeliers of 1760. Norman font and Jacobean pulpit. Monuments include those to Foljambe family, of C16 and early C17. C18 tablets and monuments. C19 features include High Altar reredos of 1898 by Temple Moore and stained glass by Warrington, Hardman and Sir Ninian Cooper.
Chesterfield Parish Church is an Anglican church dedicated to Saint Mary and All Saints, located in the town of Chesterfield in Derbyshire, England. Predominantly dating back to the 14th century, the church is a Grade I listed building and is most known for its twisted spire, an architectural phenomenon which has led to the church being given the common byname of the Crooked Spire. The largest church in Derbyshire, it lies within the Diocese of Derby, in which it forms part of the Archdeaconry of Chesterfield.
The spire was added to the 14th century tower in about 1362. It is both twisted and leaning, twisting 45 degrees and leaning 9 feet 6 inches (2.90 m) from its true centre. The leaning characteristic was initially suspected to be the result of the absence of skilled craftsmen (the Black Death had been gone only twelve years prior to the spire's completion), insufficient cross-bracing, and the use of unseasoned timber.
It is now believed that the twisting of the spire was caused by the lead that covers the spire. The lead causes this twisting phenomenon, because when the sun shines during the day the south side of the tower heats up, causing the lead there to expand at a greater rate than that of the north side of the tower, resulting in unequal expansion and contraction. This was compounded by the weight of the lead (approx. 33 tons) which the spire's bracing was not originally designed to bear. Also it was common practice to use unseasoned timber at the time the spire was built as when the wood was seasoned it was too hard to work with, so as unseasoned wood was used they would have made adjustments as it was seasoning in place.
In common folklore, there are numerous explanations as to why the spire is twisted. One well established legend goes that a virgin once married in the church, and the church was so surprised that the spire turned around to look at the bride, and continues that if another virgin marries in the church, the spire will return to true again. Another legend is that a Bolsover blacksmith mis-shoed the Devil, who leaped over the spire in pain, knocking it out of shape.
The tower upon which the spire sits contains ten bells. These bells were cast in 1947 by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London, replacing a previous ring. The heaviest weighs 1270 kg (25cwt). The place in which the bells are situated once held the builders' windlass, which is one of the few examples of a medieval crane in existence and is the only example of one that has survived from a parish church. The windlass is now on display at Chesterfield Museum and Art Gallery.
It is this twisted spire that gives the town's football club, Chesterfield F.C., their nickname; 'the Spireites'. A depiction of the spire also features on the club's crest.
The spire is open to the public most days (except Sundays and Good Friday) and can be climbed part way up. The views from the top of the tower on a clear day stretch for miles. The spire, which is used as a symbol of Chesterfield, can often be seen from the surrounding hill poking out of a sea of mist, on a winters morning.