A Brief History of Penistone
The meaning of Penistone is Old English tun "farm, village" and possibly the Celtic penn meaning hill - similar to Penn in the West Midlands.
Records of the name as Penstun (1143) and Penstone (n.d.) prove the second element is Old English tun "farm, village" (not Old English stan, stone, as might be suggested).
The history of Penistone can be dated back to 1066 when it was known to be owned by Ailric. However, following the Norman Conquest it was
razed to the ground in 1069 in what became known as the Harrying of the North; the Domesday Book described the settlement in 1089 as 'wasted'.
The town was of little importance until the coming of the railway in 1845 and over time it became a major junction with an engineering depot.
Several pre-19th Century buildings still survive, the oldest being the Grade I listed mediaeval parish church, Saint John the Baptist Church; the White Heart pub in the town dates from 1377.
St. John's Church, Penistone
There's evidence that Christianity Came to Penistone well over a thousand years ago.
St. John's Church has the remains of a Saxon cross and was no doubt built in wood before being rebuilt in stone during medieval times and becoming
the chief centre for Christian worship, education and society in Penistone.
More information about St. John's Church and the four other C of E churches in the parish can be found on Penistone and Thurlstone Team Ministry website: www.penistonecofe.co.uk
Carvings in St. John'sInteresting carvings and sculpture can be found throughout the church ranging from the Saxon to the modern. 
Above Left: Boss of St.John the Baptist Above Right: Saxon corbel Below: John the Baptist (2002) by Peter Eugene Ball (detail on the right). More of this artist's work can be found on his website: www.petereball.com  |
360° Views of the ChurchThe Penistone and Thurlstone Team Ministry website features a virtual tour of the five Curch of England churches in the parish. The team have kindly allowed us to show some here. 
1. A 360° view of the exterior of St. John's church 2. 360° interior view of the church taken during a recent Art at the Altar exhibition.
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Penistone ViaductThe railway first came to Penistone in 1845 and it's fair to say that this contibuted to the growth of the town. in 1850 the Huddersfield-Penistone line was opened, crossing the 29-arch viaduct which is the Penistone's most visible landmark. You can see a 360° view in the Virtual Tour section. 
In February 1916 one of the pillars at the end of the viaduct collapsed into the River Don, taking two arches and a locomotive with it. Fortunately the engine was stationary at the time and the collapse slow enough for the crew to jump to saftey. The line was closed for 6 months. Amazingly, the locomotive was recovered, repaired and was in service for another 25 years. |