Church of St Peter & St Paul, Flitwick facts for kids

The Church of St Peter & St Paul is a special old church in Flitwick, Bedfordshire, England. It's a Church of England parish church, which means it serves the local community. This church is so important that it became a Grade I listed building on January 23, 1961. This means it's considered a building of great historical and architectural interest!

A Long History

People believe that a wooden church, and then a stone church from the Saxon times, stood in the same spot before this one. The church you see today was first built way back in the 1100s. Later, in the 1300s, a part called the south aisle was added.

In the late 1400s or early 1500s, more parts were added. These included the nave clerestory (which are windows high up in the main part of the church) and a timber-framed porch. For a long time, monks from a place called Ruxox Cell helped lead the church services. This continued until the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries, when many monasteries were closed down by the king.

The church had some big changes in 1835. A special Norman doorway on the north wall of the nave was carefully taken apart and put back together. In the second half of the 1800s, more restoration work was done. This included putting a new roof on the chancel, which is the part of the church near the altar.

A new chapter house was added to the church in 1983. The church in Flitwick is part of the Diocese of St Albans.

Church Design

The Church of St Peter & St Paul is built from ironstone, which is a strong, reddish-brown rock. It has smooth stone details called ashlar dressings and clay tile roofs. The church includes a chancel, a nave (the main part where people sit), and north and south aisles. It also has a south porch and a vestry on the north side.

The church has a tall, three-stage west tower. This tower is supported by strong stone supports called buttresses. At the very top, it has an embattled parapet, which looks a bit like the top of a castle wall. Inside the tower, there are seven bells! Five of these bells are very old, dating all the way back to the 1600s.

Inside the church, you'll find a font that is from the Norman period. It has a round, fluted bowl. The pulpit, where the priest gives sermons, was once part of a larger, three-level structure.

The church also has special memorials. These include tributes to the brave men from Flitwick who lost their lives in World War I and World War II.

See also

• Grade I listed buildings in Bedfordshire