Building record 2166/3/1 - Church of St. Peter

Church built circa 1863 by Richard Armstrong. Built of squared coursed limestone with plain-tile roofs. The late 13th century style building consists of a nave, chancel, north aisle, vestry, south porch and west tower.

{1} Church. C.1863 by Richard Armstrong. Squared coursed limestone with plain-tile roof. Nave, chancel, north aisle, vestry, south porch and west tower; in late C13 style. South elevation of chancel of 2-window range of 2-light windows with 2-stage buttresses between. Steeply gabled roof with ashlar cornice, gable parapets and finial. 4-light east window with shafts, cusped circles and carved label stops. North elevation of chancel of one blank bay. Lean-to vestry is attached to right, having a 2-light square-head east window and a single lancet north window. South elevation of nave of 3 bays; 2-window range of 2- and 3-light windows with 2-stage buttresses between. Steeply gabled roof with ashlar cornice, gable parapets and finials. Gabled porch to left hand bay has roll moulded outer arch, with one order of shafts and chamfered and moulded inner doorway. North aisle of 3-window range of 2-light windows with 2-stage buttresses between. Steeply gabled roof with ashlar gable parapets and octagonal flue at apex of east gable. 3-light west window. All windows have cusping or quatrefoil circles. 3-stage west tower with 3-stage clasping buttresses to western corners of lower 2 stages. Polygonal stair turret to south face of lower 2 stages. Lancet window in west face of lower stage. Slit windows in north and south face of second stage. 2-light bell-chamber openings to each face of upper stage have Y-tracery and lattice stone infill panels. Saddle back roof with lancets in gables. Ashlar gable parapets, kneelers and finials. Interior: 3-bay north arcade, to nave, of double-chamfered arches with octagonal and cluster shafts and polygonal responds. The capitals may incorporate medieval masonry. Double-chamfered chancel arch with short corbelled colonnettes. Double-chamfered tower arch with plain responds. Rib vaulted tower ceiling. C19 trussed rafter and arched-brace truss roofs to nave and chancel. Octagonal font on columns, the bowl is probably medieval. C19 furnishings. C19 stained glass to east, south and tower windows. Large painting, depicting Christ on Easter Morning, fixed to the east wall of north aisle. Monuments: stone coffin, probably c.1300, in north aisle has fine decorated lid depicting a lion unicorn, vine leaves and birds. Pair of C16 recumbent effigies alongside, all reset. William Bretor, died 1658, inscribed tablet to left of altar flanked by ribbons with hour glass and skull and cross bones. Armorial device above. Dame Judith Williams, died 1754 and daughter Mary, died 1756, marble tablet in north aisle with 2 medallions and urn above. Lady Ann Williams, died 1799, oval tablet to left of south door. Various C19 and C20 tablets. (Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.151).

{5} Undated photo.

{7} The slight remains of medieval glass in the vestry east window were presumably transferred from the ancient parish church when it was replaced by the present structure.

{8} Many sketches, measurements, drawings, letters, paintings and plans of the old church before it was demolished;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 8/87 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G09 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<3> 1851, Journal of The British Archaeological Association (Vol.6), p.210 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN47092.

<4> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.151 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<5> Photographs of buildings in Clopton (Photographs). SNN112085.

<6> Richmond H., 1988, Survey of Northamptonshire Parish Churches (Unpublished Report). SNN1195.

<7> Marks R., 1998, Stained Glass Of Northamptonshire, p. 40 (Book). SNN101533.

<8> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/62/1-97 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Dec 13 2024 2:55PM