History

Bolsover Parish church is dedicated to St. Mary, the mother of Jesus and to St. Laurence, who was put to death on an iron grid. The first church was of Saxon origin, built of wood in 656A.D. the first stone church was built in 1152A.D soon after the Norman conquest.

The thirteenth century tower supports a broad shouldered broach spire, and is almost the only part of the building that had survived to the present day. The church has been destroyed by fire twice, once in 1897 and again in 1960 both times leaving the Cavendish Chapel and spire intact.

Cavendish chapel.

This was built in 1618, with a finely carved wood and plaster ceiling, to house a monument, in memory of Sir Charles Cavendish, son of Bess of Hardwick and his wife Katherine Ogle of Bolsover Castle. Their final resting place is beneath the Cavendish chapel in a vault.

The chapel also houses a monument to the 2nd Duke of Newcastle, who died in 1691 as well as other members of the Cavendish family.

Access to the church for viewing or private prayer is available by picking the key up from the vicarage or by contacting the churchwardens or Curate.

See 'Contacts' for details