Building record 1694/2 - Church of Saint Peter & Saint Paul

Formerly Abington parish church, the south doorway, chancel and lower stage of the west tower were built circa 1200. In the 15th century the north chapel and upper stage of tower were added and the aisles were removed and the nave widened in 1821. The west gallery was added in 1938-9.

{1} Parish church of St Peter and St Paul (SP 775614). The general plan appears to be that of the medieval church, though dimensions given by Bridges [d. 1724] do not correspond with those of the present building. [RCHM outline plan, history and description].

{4} Medieval church with significant C19th work; south doorway & chancel & lower stage of west tower c.1200; north chapel & upper stage of tower C15th; aisles removed & nave widened in 1821; west gallery dates to 1938-9; some detail of internal fittings given;

{5} Parish church of St Peter and St Paul (SP 775614). The general plan appears to be that of the medieval church, though dimensions given by Bridges [d. 1724] do not correspond with those of the present building. [RCHM outline plan, history and description].

{10} Medieval and C19. South doorway, chancel and lower stage of west tower circa 1200. C15 north chapel and upper stage of tower. Aisles removed and nave widened 1821. West gallery 1038-9. C15 carved octagonal font with cover, and sedilia. Brass 1536. Table tombs 1627, 1634. Late C17 or early C18 pulpit, ornate carving, large tester. Royal hatchment of Charles II. Fine C17 and C18 monuments including Thursby, with effigy 1730, and 1733, both by Samuel Cox. Church of St Petr and St Paul, Abington Ab The Cottage, Christchurch Road form a group.

{11} Church rebuilt in 1824-6, attributed to Charles Squirhill;

{13} Romanesque features are the south nave doorway and the west tower arch;

{14} Two photos dated 1990;

{15} A survey of St Peter and St Paul Church undertaken by Northamptonshire Archaeology in September 1978 recorded a church of mixed medieval and later date. Externally, the south wall and east wall of the chancel were constructed of ironstone random rubble, largely dating from 19th-century rebuilding. The nave contained 19th-century windows of intersected, Perpendicular and straight-headed forms. The south doorway was of c.1200 date and was enclosed by a 19th-century south porch. These external features were generally recorded as being in average condition, although some weathering of the ironstone masonry was noted. The survey also identified a visible former roofline, blocked windows in the north, east and south faces of the tower, and a large modern sundial mounted on the west face of the tower. Internally, evidence for a former crossing tower was noted. The church no longer possessed aisles, these having been removed in 1821 following storm damage. The chancel was considered to date from c.1200. The floor was of stone construction and there was no step between the nave and chancel. The ceiling was flat and decorated with stucco ornament. Furnishings included a large pulpit with tester and floral carving, while the west gallery was dated to 1938. Internal features were recorded as being in good condition throughout, with the walls finished in whitewash.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.202/Site 3 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<2> The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.67-69 (unchecked) (Series). SNN10247.

<3> Grant V., 1671, Map of Abington (NRO Map 4524), (unchecked) (Map). SNN41646.

<4> 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), H14 p.10 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN116960.

<5> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.203-7 (microfiche) (unchecked) (Series). SNN77383.

<6> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.14-17 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77327.

<7> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.402-405 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<8> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.343-7 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<9> Glynne S., 1859, Church Notes of Sir Stephen Glynne, (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN39492.

<10> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<11> Colvin H., 1995, A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects (1660-1840), p. 914 (Book). SNN54451.

<12> Anon, Undated, St Peter and St Paul, Abington 'The Church in the Park' (Leaflet). SNN111251.

<13> King's College, London, 2017, A corpus of Romanesque Sculpture in Britain and Ireland, Site 958 (Website). SNN110894.

<14> Photographs of buildings in Northampton (Photographs). SNN114989.

<15> C & G, 1978, Graveyard Survey - St Peter and St Paul - 1978 (Report). SNN100816.

Record last edited

Aug 3 2026 12:33PM