Details
SO 33 NW; 9/158
PETERCHURCH CP, B4348 (off west side),
Peterchurch
Church of St Peter
26/1/67
I
Parish church. Mid-C12 with late C13/early C14 alterations, and restorations
of 1869, 1879, 1906 and the early 1980's. Rubble with sandstone dressings,
tiled roofs and fibre glass spire. Late C13 west tower; nave and chancel in
two divisions with apse, mid-C12, north porch 1888.
West tower: late C13 with
stone spire, reduced to a stump c1950 and replaced in early 1980's in fibre
glass. Five stages, offset to top stage, plain parapet, battered plinth with
string, stepped diagonal buttresses; belfry openings of two trefoiled lights
under 2-centred heads, square-headed window in east wall of fourth stage below
clock face; third stage: each wall has a single trefoiled light window; door
in north wall of first stage with 2-centred head, single trefoiled light window
to west; ground floor: south wall: narrow door with cinquefoil head, chamfered
jambs, with relieving-arch above. Nave: south wall: Two-trefoiled-light window
under 2-centred head to west end, late C13; to right mid-C12 south door,
semicircular head, enriched by chevroned and billeted label; plain tympanum;
engaged shafts with scalloped capitals; to east a C12 semicircular-headed
window and two late C19 lancets. North wall: two C12 semicircular-headed windows
flank stone north porch of 1888; north door: C14 with 2-centred head of two orders
and label; two C12 semicircular-headed windows; C14 window to east of two trefoiled
lights under 2-centred head; to east of this two small restored C12
semicircular-headed windows, one above the other, lighting staircase, pilaster buttress to
corner. Chancel: west division: late C13 2-trefoiled-light window with 2-centred
head cut through C12 window to west, to east a C12 semi-circular-headed window,
same in north and south walls; east division: restored cornice with roll
moulding; one C12 semicircular-headed window in north wall reflected on south wall,
with additionally a C13 lancet to west; apse: divided into three panels by pilaster
buttresses, restored string with cable decoration below windows, roll to edge
of cornice; one semicircular-headed C12 window to each panel.
INTERIOR: chancel:
arch to apse semicircular of two plain orders with enriched chamfered imposts;
arch between east and west divisions: semicircular of two orders on west face,
enriched with chevron ornament, and enriched chamfered imposts; arch to nave:
semicircular of two plain orders to west with enriched chamfered imposts. In
north-west corner square-headed entrance to spiral staircase, which is probably
C12 providing access to a presumed lost tower over the west division of the
chancel. Nave: crude segmental headed opening to north-east corner from
staircase, possibly providing access to lost rood. Late C13 tower door with 2-centred
head of two chamfered orders; C13 first-floor door above with 2-centred head.
Piscina in south wall of nave: cinquefoil head, quatrefoil drain, C14. Roofs:
nave: late C19 coupled-rafter roof with collars, straight angle braces and
ashlar pieces, central tie beam with crown post, collar purlin; chancel: west
division: probably C17, restored late C19, two bays, tie-beam truss with collar
and four queen struts; east division: similar to west division. Fittings: altar:
stone slab with five consecration crosses, chamfered soffit, on C18/C19 pedestal.
South door, planks nailed to battens, C12/C13 strap hinges with bifurcated
terminals. Font: tub-shaped bowl, cable and chevron ornament to rim, cable
to base, C12. There is a medieval stone coffin near the north porch (not
included).
Listing NGR: SO3449238519
