Recent History:
In 1972 the Wesleyan and Primitive Methodist Churches combined as one and was based at Fountain Square, which henceforth became known as Tideswell Methodist Church, though this move was not popular with everyone concerned at the time.
Visitors to Tideswell are often surprised that up until a few years ago the village supported five churches - Church of England, Roman Catholic, Wesleyan & Primitive Methodist and Congregational. It must be remembered that Tideswell has always been a large village due to its lead mining industry which dates back to Roman times, and has only been overtaken by other populated areas such as Buxton in more recent times.
The membership of both the Methodist and United Reformed Churches has declined over a number of years. Talks between the churches resulted in having a feasibility study done on both buildings to ascertain which premises would serve a united church the best. The result of this study was that the United Reformed Church should close and be sold enabling most of the money raised to be used at Fountain Square to make a building for the 21st century. The United Reformed Church moved down to Fountain Square on January 3rd, 2010.
Officially they became one church on Wednesday July 21st, 2010, when the Constitution of the Local Ecumenical Project was signed.
Fountain Square has the best site in the centre of the village. Plans have been submitted to the Peak Park Planning Authority for the sale of the URC site and for the alterations at Fountain Square.
Older History:
In 1972 the Wesleyan and Primitive Methodist Churches combined as one and was based at Fountain Square, which henceforth became known as Tideswell Methodist Church, though this move was not popular with everyone concerned at the time.
Visitors to Tideswell are often surprised that up until a few years ago the village supported five churches - Church of England, Roman Catholic, Wesleyan & Primitive Methodist and Congregational. It must be remembered that Tideswell has always been a large village due to its lead mining industry which dates back to Roman times, and has only been overtaken by other populated areas such as Buxton in more recent times.
The membership of both the Methodist and United Reformed Churches has declined over a number of years. Talks between the churches resulted in having a feasibility study done on both buildings to ascertain which premises would serve a united church the best. The result of this study was that the United Reformed Church should close and be sold enabling most of the money raised to be used at Fountain Square to make a building for the 21st century. The United Reformed Church moved down to Fountain Square on January 3rd, 2010.
Officially they became one church on Wednesday July 21st, 2010, when the Constitution of the Local Ecumenical Project was signed.
Fountain Square has the best site in the centre of the village. Plans have been submitted to the Peak Park Planning Authority for the sale of the URC site and for the alterations at Fountain Square.
Older History: