Building record 952/1/1 - Church of St. Peter & St. Paul

Early 14th-15th centuries, 18th century, restored in the 19th century. Coursed and uncoursed ironstone rubble, tower partly sandstone ashlar, lead roof. Chancel with north chapel, aisled nave. North and south porches, west tower. Perpendicular chancel incorporating early 14th century work. Restored in 1884 by George Gee.

{2} Church, early C14-15, C18, restored C19. Coursed and uncoursed ironstone rubble, tower partly sandstone ashlar, lead roof. Chancel with north chapel, aisled nave. North and south porches, west tower. Perpendicular chancel incorporating early C14 work. 4-light east window with 4-centred arch and panel tracery. 3 similar 3-light windows on the south wall. Priests doorway c.1300 has chamfered arch, 3-light east window to south aisle, c.1300 with intersecting tracery. Two similar 3-light windows in the south wall to east of porch and two pairs of lancets to west of porch. Flat arched Perpendicular window without tracery in west wall of south aisle and straight headed doorway of same date below. C14 south porch. Inner doorway of same date has hollow. Chamfered arch, the jambs rebuilt C19-C20, and double ribbed plank door. Perpendicular west tower with castellated parapet and gargoyle waterspouts. Traceried 2-light bell openings and 4-light west window with panel tracery. C14 west window without tracery to north aisle. Early C14 three-light window with reticulated tracery to west of north porch and 2 similar windows to east. C18 north porch with pedimented gable and arched doorway with keyblock. 5-light window with geometrical tracery (damaged and partly renewed) in east wall of north chapel. Interior: chancel has Perpendicular sedilia and piscina with cinquefoiled arches. Early C14 tomb recess in north wall has arch with deep hollow mouldings and short jamb shafts with leaf capitals. C14 double chamfered arch to west (blocked) former opening to north chapel. North chapel, now converted to vestry, with panel opening to east end of north aisle blocked and C19 doorway inserted. Noted by Pevsner as having 3 further tomb recesses. 3 bay nave arcades, c.1300, with octagonal piers, double chamfered arches, and hoods with large head stops. Perpendicular clerestory. Altar rails c.1800, Gothic revival. Monuments in chancel include Sir George Clarke, died 1649. Black and white marble architectural wall table with segmental pediment and black columns, described by Pevsner as "uncommonly noble". George Clarke (probably late C17) to left of it. Architectural wall tablet in grey and white marble. Susanna Eyton died 1631. Stone wall tablet with Tuscan columns, entablature with strapwork cresting and long inscription on wooden panel.

{7} Masonry is a combination of ironstone and sandstone and there is significant weathering of masonry
and mortars. A Heritage Lottery Fund grant was awarded in December 2011 for urgent tower and some drainage repairs. This work was completed by late 2013 but further drainage, low level masonry repairs and chancel roof repairs are required. There is some damp internally and some areas of flooring may require specialist cleaning to remove algae. The church has been the victim of heritage crime.

{9} Undated photo.

{10} [Former list description] Coursed stone with dressed buttresses and parapets. The church consists of chancel, N. chapel, nave and clerestory, aisles, S. porch and W. tower.
The Perpendicular chancel has a contemporary roof, sedilia and piscina. On the east wall behind curtains are early C.19 commandment panels and the altar rails and choir stalls are also early C.19. The locked N. chapel is said to contain four tomb recesses, one with enriched mouldings. The nave and aisles are decorated and the nave arcades are of 3 bays, the tower impinging on the 4th bay with tall bold tower arch facing east. The clerestory is Perpendicular.
The Perpendicular font with C.17 font cover superseded an older font, the bowl of which remains in the church. The S. porch is early Decorated. The church was restored in 1884 by Mr. George Gee of Daventry. The monuments include:
(1.) on N. wall of chancel to George Clerke, grey and white marble, Corinthian columns supporting open segmental pediment broken forward over columns, central urn, inscription panel with coat of arms at head. The columns stand on carved bases supported on console brackets with carved apron between. The monument is
flanked by carved scrolls.
(2.) Adjoining is another Clerke monument with central inscription panel standing forward from eared architrave flanked by Corinthian columns supporting entablature with frieze broken forward over columns and broken segmental pediment with central cartouche of arms. Above the inscription panel is a
small secondary segmental pediment. The columns stand on plinths supported on carved brackets flanking projecting apron with bolection base and carved surround.
(3.) A small pyramidal wall monument to Ch. Will. Clerke, 1755, with cartouche in pyramid which is supported on curved apron.
(4.) A small stone monument to Susannah Eyton, 1631. A central inscription panel of black Byfield stone with carved frieze over, flanked by free-standing stone Doric columns supporting entablature broken forward over columns and strapwork cresting with coat of arms above. Below the panel is a strapwork apron.

{12} Notes regarding the description of the church plate;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 6/277 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F04 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN44900.

<3> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.446-47 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<4> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.588-91 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<5> Glynne S., 1859, Church Notes of Sir Stephen Glynne, (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN39492.

<6> DRAWINGS, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN56506.

<7> Historic England, 2016, Heritage at Risk: East Midlands Register 2016, p. 50 (Report). SNN110747.

<8> Historic England, 2017, Heritage at Risk: East Midlands Register 2017, p. 58 (Report). SNN111090.

<8> Historic England, 2018, Heritage at Risk: East Midlands Register 2018, p. 58 (Report). SNN111434.

<9> Photographs of buildings in Watford (Photographs). SNN114136.

<10> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, DOE(HHR)Dist. of Brixworth R.D. Northants. Aug. 1950 94 (Report). SNN112993.

<11> Historic England, St Peter and St Pauls Church, Watford, BF107430 (Archive). SNN114850.

<12> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/288/2 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Dec 17 2024 4:02PM