A Conversation for Church Tales: Part One
St. Mary and All Saints, Chesterfeild
steve-paul ---- no lyrics!!<wah> Started conversation Oct 13, 2006
The church of St. Mary and All Saints in Chesterfeild (Derbyshire) is known as 'The church with the crooked spire' because the spire is twisted and leans about 2.8 metres from the centre, the spire is not actually attached to the tower but stays there because of the immense weight from the lead tiles.
There are many legends as to why the spire twisted, such as:
the spire twisted around to see the last virgin bride enter the church, and will only straighten out when the next one enters.
(a variation on the one above) The spire saw a bride of so much beauty it bowed but could not rise up again.
there are also legends about the Devil knocking the spire, and so twisting it.
However, the most probable explanation is that the spire twisted due to the warping of the oak frame (that supports the lead tiles) as it dried out. But it could also be due to the lack of skilled workers while it was being built (because of the black death).
Church website:
http://www.chesterfieldparishchurch.org.uk/index.php
(i hope this is the sort of thing you wanted
)
SP
St. Mary and All Saints, Chesterfeild
The H2G2 Editors Posted Oct 16, 2006
This IS what we're looking for. Thanks. I've driven past this spire on many occasions on the way to Derby. It looks 'fantastical' like something out of a fairytale. 
St. Mary and All Saints, Chesterfeild
steve-paul ---- no lyrics!!<wah> Posted Oct 17, 2006
, i may think of some more then
St. Mary and All Saints, Chesterfeild
The H2G2 Editors Posted Oct 18, 2006
Great! They'd be most welcome.
St. Mary and All Saints, Chesterfeild
Pinniped Posted Oct 18, 2006
Silverfish has a (four year old) unfinished entry on the crooked spire.
A643673
Collaboration, maybe?
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St. Mary and All Saints, Chesterfeild
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