Building record 3619/1/1 - Church of St. Peter

Church built in the late 12th-14th century, restored between 1833 and 1843. Built of regular coursed limestone and ironstone, with ashlar dressings and lead roofs. The church consists of an aisled nave, chancel, west tower and north and south porches.

{1} Church. Late C12 to C14, restored 1833 to 1843. Regular coursed limestone and ironstone with ashlar dressings and lead roof. Aisled nave, chancel, west tower and north and south porches. South elevation of chancel of one-window range with C13 four-light window with transom and Y-tracery. Similar 2-light east window. North elevation of chancel has single lancet window. South aisle of 2-window range of C14 three-light square head windows, that to left having C19 tracery. Small door between windows has cusped head. 3-light east window has 4-centred head. 2-light west window has square head. Lean-to roof with ashlar parapets and C19 octagonal chimney. C19 porch to left in C14 style with gable, finial and pinnacles. North aisle is similar to south with 2-window range of C14 square head windows. Lean-to roof with moulded stone cornice and ashlar gable parapets. C19 porch to right is similar to the south porch. C14 west tower of 3 stages with plinth, has clasping buttresses to west corners. 2-light west window in lower stage. 2-light bell-chamber openings in upper stage have quatrefoil frieze above. Castellated ashlar parapet with gargoyles and pinnacle bases at the corners. Interior: 3-bay nave arcade, 2 bays to west are late C12 semi-circular arches, with stepped arches to the north arcades, circular piers and square abaci. One bay to east has C13 double-chamfered arches with octagonal piers and responds. Similar double-chamfered chancel and tower arches. One-bay single chamfered arches between chancel and aisles. Some original roof timbers to south aisle; other roofs are C19. Late C12 piscina in north-east corner of north aisle. C14 recess in north aisle has ogee head flanked by pinnacles with quatrefoil frieze at the back. Perpendicular screen base and carvings to rear of choir stalls. Jacobean pulpit with small ogee tester and primitive figure carving to panels. Jacobean communion rail with turned balusters. Tower screen incorporates carved panels. Various early C19 slate memorial panels. Octagonal font. Stained glass: late C19 east window probably by Kempe. Mid and late C20 north and south aisle windows.

{7} "The church at Isham has an interesting chimera in the shape of a woman in a compromising position. The story goes that her stonemason husband found out about her adultery whilst he was working on the church and decided to take his revenge." Photo.

{8} Two undated photos;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 12/216 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> 1986, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G05 p.91 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN100394.

<3> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.192-94 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<4> Glynne S., 1859, Church Notes of Sir Stephen Glynne, (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN39492.

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

<6> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.108-10 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<7> 2012, Retro: Looking back on how the county used to live, (checked) (Newspaper cuttings). SNN107865.

<8> Photographs of buildings in Isham (Photographs). SNN112813.

<9> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), OS 6" 1958 (Map). SNN112944.

<10> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, District of Wellingborough, 13/05/1986 (Report). SNN112993.

<11> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<12> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.269 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<13> Historic England, Undated, St Peter's Church, Isham, BF107348 (Archive). SNN113403.

<14> Richmond H., 1988, Survey of Northamptonshire Parish Churches (Unpublished Report). SNN1195.

Record last edited

Dec 17 2024 4:40PM