Church Of St Peter And St Paul

Church of St Peter and St Paul

This church has 13th-century origins but was largely rebuilt in 1666 for Lord Montagu, and underwent restoration with nave rebuilding in 1873. It is constructed of squared coursed limestone and limestone ashlar with a 20th-century concrete slate roof.

The building comprises a nave, chancel, south porch and west tower. The south elevation of the chancel displays a two-window range of 19th-century two-light windows with shallow segmental heads at differing sill heights, a two-stage buttress to the far right, and a central priest's door. A corbelled cornice with central gargoyle runs across, below a steeply gabled roof with ashlar gable parapets, kneelers and finial. A 19th-century three-light east window with quatrefoil tracery occupies the east end. The north elevation of the chancel mirrors the south elevation but lacks a priest's door.

The south elevation of the nave contains three bays with a two-window range. 19th-century two-light windows occupy the centre and right positions, with two-stage buttresses flanking the composition. A plain cornice with gargoyle sits to the right, beneath a steeply gabled roof with ashlar gable parapets and kneelers. The names 'Montagu' and 'E. Thornhill' are inscribed either side of the right-hand window. The 19th-century gabled south porch features a roll-moulded outer arch with cluster responds and an inner doorway with semi-circular head and moulded surround. A 17th-century plank door with strap hinges hangs within; initials E.T.H are inscribed to the left of the doorway. Return walls are pierced by quatrefoil windows. The north elevation of the nave comprises a three-window range of 19th-century two-light windows, flanked by two-stage buttresses, with a plain cornice carrying two gargoyles. A tall ashlar stack abuts the east gable.

The Perpendicular west tower rises in four stages with three-stage clasping buttresses to the lower three stages. A two-centred arched west door has chamfered and hollowed surround, above which sits a square plaque bearing Montagu arms. The second stage contains a three-light Perpendicular west window with four-centred arch head and hollow reveals. A relieving arch spans the lower part of the third stage, with a single-light window above and a similar window in the south face. Two-light bell-chamber openings on each face of the upper stage display Y-tracery and hollow reveals. A moulded string course runs below a castellated ashlar parapet. Three-stage buttresses in two directions mark the junction of tower with nave.

The interior features a 19th-century double-chamfered chancel arch with polygonal responds, incorporating some earlier masonry, and a double-chamfered tower arch with plain responds. The nave roof comprises four bays of 17th-century construction with double collar trusses; the chancel roof is 19th-century. A square font with chamfered corners has a carved head on each corner, the bowl supported on a short circular pier with nailhead decoration. A 19th-century altar reredos occupies the chancel, flanked by piscina and aumbry.

Ten exceptionally fine stalls in the chancel are from the church of St Mary the Virgin and All Saints at Fotheringhay. All possess misericords carved with subjects including a publican, hawk, mermaid, owl and tumbler. Bench ends feature swan-neck finials and tracery. A 19th-century pulpit incorporates fragments of Perpendicular screen.

Monuments include that to Thomas Montagu, who died in 1517, and his wife, comprising two brass figures with inscribed panel and three shields; the matrix of a fourth shield also survives. Stained glass in the south window at the centre of the nave includes a probable 17th-century fragment bearing Montagu arms; further Montagu arms appear in the east window.