Church of St Peter and St Paul, Church Square (EHER 25635)

This parish church has its origins in the 12th century, a period from which only the west wall of nave and north aisle survive. The building was much altered and added to, most notably in the 13th, 15th and 16th centuries, and underwent programmes of repair and alteration in the 18th and 19th century. The brick arcades of the nave are especially unusual, and the series of late 16th and early 17th century commemorative monuments installed inside the church in memory of members of the Darby family are also of interest.

This contains information from the NRHE and from EHER 2903 and EHER 2907. See EHER 2907 for details of finds made during investigations in the churchyard. November 1966. Listed Grade I. Church of St Peter and St Paul. Parish Church with 12th century origin, west wall of nave and north aisle. Late 13th century east arcades of north and south transepts. Probably later 13th century chancel, around 1340, west tower much repaired in the 18th century, chancel arch was rebuilt in the 15th century. 16th century reconstruction of north and south aisles and north transept, nave rebuilt, south porch added. Further restoration work too place in the 19th century and a north porch was added. RCHME I. Grade I <1> The parish church of St Peter and St Paul stands in the village. The walls are generally of septaria and flint-rubble, with limestone dressings; the nave, south aisle and south porch are of red brick; the roofs are tiled. The west wall of the nave, and perhaps part of the west wall of the north aisle are of early 12th century date, when the nave was aisled. The east arcades of the north and south transepts date from around 1250 to 1270, the north transept being probably the earlier. The date of the chancel is uncertain, but it is perhaps late 13th century work. The west tower was added around 1340. In the 15th century the chancel-arch was rebuilt. Earlier in the 16th century a general reconstruction was begun, the nave was rebuilt and widened towards the south, the north and south aisles rebuilt, and the south porch added; the north transept was shortened at the same time. The tower was much repaired in the 18th century and the whole church was restored in the 19th century. The church is of considerable architectural interest, the brick arcades of the nave being a remarkable feature; among the fittings the 16th century monuments of the Darcy family are note-worthy. The roofs of the nave and north aisle are also note-worthy. <2> Photo refs: <5> <6> From EHER 2907 Features and fittings: windows of 12th or 13th centuries, 13th century, 14th century, early 16th century, early 16th century north and south doorways-south door itself is early 16th century, early 16th century roof-some with elaborate carving, corbels in south chapel-one is 14th century with a head label stop, the font is late 15th century and there is a 13th century piscina. In the churchyard are worked stones, shafting and window tracery of 12th century and later date; they are probably from the Priory in part <2> <7> It is in one way a most remarkable church in that its large nave has brick piers and brick arches. The impression on entering is of a North German more than an English church. Although apparently a new chancel was contemplated at the time of the early 16th century rebuilding, it was not built. This is the evidence of the chancel arch responds (RCHM and DoE <1> date these as 15th century). The north aisle could be post-Reformation in date according to <8> A large transeptal church, with aisles and west tower, much of the east end is of the 13th century and the tower is 14th century, the nave and aisles are 16the century and mainly of brick. This is the only good Tudor brick interior in the Archdeaconry. In addition there are many architectural problems and numerous phases of activity can be detected (more than shown in RCHM). Details indicate that the plan is based on a large aisled Norman building which in turn may be derived from something earlier. Graded AAIb by Rodwell <9> Site Assessment = There is little of interest in the graveyard, which has been 'tidied' to some extent. See also <10> From EHER 2903 The tower has an 18th century parapet, its second stage has a mid 14th century west window altered in the 18th century. The chancel roof is possibly of around 1560 with modern gilding. Some of the north aisle and south aisle roof timbers were renewed in the 17th and 18th centuries respectively. Three bells date from 1663. The Darcy monuments date to around 1580, 1587 and 1640. Those of around 1580 have altar tombs and effigies, that of 1587 has a marble tablet and that of 1640 has an altar tomb, effigy and brass inscription plate. The church also has 17th and 18th century floor slabs. The plate includes a cup and a cover paten of 1574. <2> The north aisle could be post-Reformation in date. It is faced with flint and septaria and the window orders are of flint and red brick. <7> Site Assessment = The 16th century monuments of the Darcy family are noteworthy <2> The church has been re-floored in this century. There is little of interest in the graveyard. <8> Additional references from NRHE: <9> <10> <11>