St. Mary's church, Tissington
Diocese of Derby Deanery of Ashbourne
Vicar: The Revd. Christopher Harrison
The Vicarage, Parwich, Ashbourne, DE6 1QD
tel. 01335 390226
St. Mary's church is situated in the centre of the picturesque and historic village of Tissington, which lies at the southern edge of the Peak District National Park. Services are largely traditional in style, and one of the highlights of the year is the annual service for the blessing of the wells on Ascension Day. The origins of the dressing of the wells are thought to go back to pagan times, but it is believed that there was a Christian revival of the custom after the Black Death, in around 1349, when it was thought that the pure water supply was responsible for the complete absence of infection in Tissington. There is reputed to have been a further revival in 1615 after an extremely severe drought lasting several months, during which time the wells never failed to flow. The wells have been dressed virtually every year since then.
Photo gallery of the 2008 Well Dressing
Visitors are always welcome to look around the church during daylight hours, and to attend Sunday services.
Please click on the links below for:
Tissington Well Dressing - background Pictures of Well Dressing 2005 Tissington Hall Service Times
Other local churches Recent sermons Tissington church location