Church Of Saints Peter And Paul

Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Syston

This parish church on Lower Church Street combines work spanning from the 13th century through the 19th century. The building was substantially restored by Ordish around 1870-80, though significant medieval fabric survives beneath the later interventions.

The exterior is constructed of pink granite rubble with white limestone dressings. The church comprises a west tower, nave with clerestory and two aisles, and chancel.

The Perpendicular west tower is the most prominent external feature, rising four stages. The west doorway is set within a roll-moulded and hollow-chamfered ogee archway, crowned with a squared hood mould springing from large, worn corbel heads carved with quatrefoils and similar ornaments in the spandrels. The door itself is 19th-century work with blank traceried patterns. Above it sits a large three-light geometric traceried window. The bell chamber has two tiers of paired lights. The uppermost stage is constructed of white ashlar. A quatrefoil frieze runs below the embattled parapet, which is flanked by slender angle pinnacles.

The south aisle largely dates to Ordish's restoration campaign, though the porch is 14th-century work. The porch features a shallow coped gable and buttresses with a moulded archway springing from a chamfer, with a niche set above. Two tiny windows pierce the east and west walls of the porch, fitted with stained glass. The aisle fenestration follows a heavy geometric style with pointed arched stilted hood moulds and supporting corbels. An ogee-arched doorway opens to the east. The aisle wall has an ashlar parapet decorated with masks. A tomb recess survives in the south wall, its moulded arch enclosing an inner ogee, dating to the early 14th century.

The clerestory is Perpendicular work with an embattled parapet and grotesque gargoyles mounted on pilasters between the windows. The chancel dates to approximately 1870-80. It features a five-light tiered east window with a statue in a niche above. A quatrefoil frieze runs beneath the roof to the north, with pilasters. The chancel is finished with one pinnacle and a larger pinnacle marking its eastern end, though the fleurons here are mutilated. The north aisle mirrors the detailing of the south aisle.

Interior

The interior is predominantly Perpendicular. The west tower arch has three-sided responds, both arch and responds enriched with trefoiled panels in the stone. Above, the steep pitch of the former nave roof remains visible.

The nave extends for five bays with two arcades. The piers are hexagonal in plan with broad-chamfered arches, all decorated throughout with traceried panels. The outer hood-mould has corbel heads. The reveals of the clerestory windows are also panelled.

The nave roof is a fine example of Perpendicular carpentry. It features moulded and chamfered tie-beams and sculptural King and Queen posts rendered as human effigies. Painted wood angel wall posts support the tie-beams via curved braces—stiffly carved figures carrying emblems, now lacking their wings (the two easternmost are Victorian restorations). They stand on grotesque stone corbel heads. Various carved and painted bosses ornament the roof, depicting foliage, green men, and other motifs.

Both north and south aisles date to 1879-80, finished in painted rubble. The Perpendicular chancel arch is panelled in decoration, though the responds are plain Victorian chamfered work. A low marble screen wall with fine brass gates—presumably by Ordish—separates the chancel from the nave. The chancel, north vestry, and south chapel are entirely Victorian in construction. The chancel roof displays angular timbering with long struts supporting a high collar. An inlaid marble reredos and aumbrey to the north feature fine brass hinges. Intricately traceried wood screens occupy the north and south sides. A surviving 13th-century sedilia is positioned to the south.

A ten-sided font, probably 13th-century, has unadorned shield-shaped panels on a solid base with four shafts, though the font is slightly mutilated. A highly elaborate Victorian wood pulpit features leaning angels supporting the main body, which is carved with figures occupying richly wrought traceried niches. A curved sounding board and ornately worked canopy rise above.

Stained glass of 1870-80 fills windows in the south aisle and one north aisle window. The glass is unattributed but follows a consistent design: central panels depict biblical scenes set within wide margins ornamented with floral motifs. The chancel window displays saints and prophets arranged in architectural settings.