Building record 3656/1/1 - St. Peter's Church

Late C13th-14th and 17th centuries. Squared coursed lias and ashlar limestone with lead and tiled roof. Aisled nave, chancel, south transept and west tower.

{1} Church. Late C13, C14 and C17. Squared coursed lias and ashlar limestone with lead and tiled roof. Aisled nave, chancel, south tranept and west tower. Chancel: South elevation of 3-window range of tall C14 windows with reticulated tracery; that to right of 3 lights, others of 2 lights. Window to left is a low side window with 4 lights in the bottom section with reticulated tracery. South door below middle window has ogee head. East window of 5 lights with reticulated tracery. North elevation of 2-window range of 2-light windows with reticulated tracery. 3- stage ashlar buttresses between windows. Shallow gabled roof with castellated ashlar parapet. Dated I.L. 1633 on north side. South transept has 3-light south window with Y-tracery and similar 2-light east window. South aisle has one 2-light window to south with cusped Y-tracery similar west window. Lean-to roof with ashlar parapet. South porch to right of window has shallow gabled roof with ashlar gable parapet and C14 double-chamfered pointed arched opening. Inside the flanking walls have double blank arcades with centre corbel. North aisle has 3-window range with Y-tracery and cusping, one of 3-lights to left and others of 2-lights; similar west window. Lean-to roof with ashlar gable parapets and cornice. North porch between windows to right. Similar to south porch with single chamfered arched openings. Nave clerestory of 3-window range of square openings with quatrefoils. Steep gabled roof with ashlar gable parapets and finial. West tower late C13 of 3 stages with ashlar angle buttresses to first and second stages and ashlar corner pilasters to third stage. 2-light west window in first stage has Y-tracery with cusping. 2-light bell chamber openings to each face of third stage have quatrefoil circles. Ashlar broach spire with 2 tiers of lucarnes. Interior: Double chamfered chancel arch without shafts; similar triple chamfered tower arch. 3-bay nave arcade of C14 double chamfered pointed arches with quatrefoil piers with hollows between the shafts. South transept, known as the Langham Chapel is probably C17. King post roofs probably C19. Monuments: South wall of chancel, Montague Lane died 1670; tablet with flanking pillars, cornice and 3 heraldic devices over. North aisle, mid C19 plain tablet to Shelden family. Floor of nave has two C18 tablets to Sheldon family. Floor of chancel, incised tablet for brass; south wall of chancel has inscribed tablet with Latin inscription. Ancient roof boses displayed on walls of chancel. Font, C19 base probably earlier bowl. (Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.440).

{3} Ralph Walgrave created a chantry in 1328…The south transeptal chael seems to be of 1778 when a faculty was obtained by Sir James Langham to 'take down Twenty one feet' of the south aisle and 'rebuild the same…to erect a Vault or Dormitory'. The vault was apparently 3 or 4 ft (0.9-1.2 metres) high, being finally removed in 1867. The windows, however, appear early 14th century, but out of pattern with the rest of the church- perhaps brought in from elsewhere. The restortion and reseating of the church was done under the direction of John Hayward of Exeter. Law and Harris also did some work in 1911.

{10} Undated photo;

{11} (SP 80167201) Ch;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 11/226 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G02 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN44900.

<3> Bailey, B, Pevsner, N, and Cherry, B, 2013, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p. 632 (Book). SNN111989.

<4> Richmond H., 1988, Survey of Northamptonshire Parish Churches, Walgrave, St Peter (unchecked) (Unpublished Report). SNN1195.

<5> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.129-30 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<6> FLESHER J., 1800, Walgrave, (unchecked) (Illustration). SNN105206.

<7> CLARKE G., 1850, Walgrave Church, (unchecked) (Illustration). SNN105205.

<8> Glynne S., 1859, Church Notes of Sir Stephen Glynne, Vol.43 ff.9-11 (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN39492.

<9> The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.220-21 (unchecked) (Series). SNN10247.

<10> Photographs of buildings in Walgrave (Photographs). SNN114090.

<11> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), OS 6" 1958 (Map). SNN112944.

<12> Historic England, Undated, St Peters Church, Walgrave, BF107426 (Archive). SNN114181.

Record last edited

Dec 17 2024 2:20PM