Church of St Peter, South Weald, Brentwood (EHER 634)

12th, 13th, and late 15th century phases of construction - the nave and chancel being entirely rebuilt on the former 13th century north aisle by S.S. Teulon in 1868. The west tower is late 15th century. The south aisle and south chapel were added in 1868.

Flint-rubble walls with bands of freestone, tower is ashlar, dressings are of limestone. The former nave, now the south aisle, is 12th century, but all that remains is the south doorway. Around the mid-13th century the former chancel (now the south chapel) was rebuilt and lengthened and a north aisle was added. The latter was rebuilt in the 15th century and the west tower added around 1500. The north aisle was pulled down in the 19th century and a new chancel and nave built. There are reset features in the them, however. There are 15th century windows, a 15th century doorway, a mid 12th century doorway, a 15th century door, late 15th century glass, 14th or 15th century mullion fragments, sills etc are built into the churchyard wall. The modern nave wall has worked stones of varying dates. <1> Surprisingly big west tower built around 1500. The arcade has been reconstructed. A set of brasses were returned to the church in 1933 - all small, dating between are 1450-1500. <2> <3> Photos of the church. <4> <5> See also 1738 Map. <6> 2011. Watching brief. Archaeological monitoring and recording was undertaken during groundworks for the construction of a new extension on the north side of the church.. The positions of 8 graves were recorded along with 2 brick-built tombs. Datable graves were Victorian or later. No earlier occupation was discovered. <7> Of the two brick-built tombs, one was constructed from unfrogged late 18th or early 19th century bricks and the other from frogged bricks that date from the mid 19th century onwards. In addition a copper alloy-studded timber fragment was recovered that was formerly part of a coffin from a disturbed burial of possible late 18th or early 19th century date. Also recovered were five fragments of unstratified worked stone that included a fragment of stone window mullion of probable medieval date. The centre of the site had been heavily disturbed by the former 1981 extension and its subsequent removal prior to this redevelopment. <8> NRHE Summary Description: 12th, 13th, and late 15th century phases of construction - the nave and chancel being entirely rebuilt on the former 13th century north aisle by S.S. Teulon in 1868. The west tower is late 15th century. The south aisle and south chapel were added in 1868. <3>