Parish Church Of St Peter And St Paul

The Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul is a Grade I listed building located on South Street. Evidence from two Saxon arches discovered in 1892 suggests that a church may have existed on this site since early times. The current structure was originally part of the Priory of Augustinian Canons, founded in 1138 by Count Baldwin FitzGilbert, known as Strongbow. Blank arcading at the northwest end of the church may be remnants of the monks' domestic quarters, with traces of the kitchens surviving into the late 19th century. After the dissolution of the priory in 1540, the church was retained for parish use.

The church features a 4-bay nave arcading, which is the only surviving Norman work, supported by massive piers with scalloped capitals. The aisles were widened in the 15th century, and there have been modern alterations to the north side. A rebuilding scheme began in 1200, but only the southwest tower was completed. This tower is in the Perpendicular style, with pairs of transomed 2-light bell openings. The northeast pier has been reinforced, and a triple lancet replaced the original Perpendicular window in 1870.

The south porch, dating from the 15th century, is embattled in the decorated style. The church has a Perpendicular west doorway, aisle windows to the north and south, and tall 3-light clerestory windows. The chancel was rebuilt in 1807. The 15th-century octagonal font is also in the Perpendicular style and features an inscription across eight fields. A brass chandelier with three tiers, dated 1742, is present in the church. Many gravestones and tombs in the churchyard display well-designed ornamentation and lettering.

Notably, Robert Manning, also known as Robert de Brunne, a Sempringham monk born in 1270, spent the last 46 years of his life as a schoolmaster in Bourne Abbey. His work, "Chronicle of the History of England," is one of the earliest translations from Norman French that helped unify various English dialects.

The church, along with Nos 31 to 35 (odd), Nos 32, 34, 34A, and 36, forms a group with the Old Grammar School.