St Peter's Church, Heversham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Peter's Church |
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St Peter's Church from the south
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| OS grid reference | SD 496,834 |
| Location | Heversham, Cumbria |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | St Peter, Heversham |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | Saint Peter |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 12 February 1962 |
| Architect(s) | Paley and Austin (restoration) |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Norman, Perpendicular, Gothic Revival |
| Completed | 1868 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Limestone and sandstone |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Heversham |
| Deanery | Kendal |
| Archdeaconry | Westmorland and Furness |
| Diocese | Carlisle |
| Province | York |
St Peter's Church is a historic church located in the village of Heversham, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church, meaning it serves the local community. The church is part of the diocese of Carlisle. It is also recognized as a Grade II* listed building, which means it is a very important historical building.
This church stands on one of the oldest Christian sites in the area. The parish used to be much larger than it is today. St Peter's Church is now linked with St Thomas, Milnthorpe.
Contents
The History of St Peter's Church
The oldest parts of St Peter's Church were built in the 12th century. Over the years, new sections were added. Changes were made during the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries.
A fire in 1601 caused damage, and the church had to be rebuilt. A major renovation happened in 1868. This work was done by architects Paley and Austin from Lancaster. They also added the church's tower. During this renovation, parts of the church were rebuilt. The roofs of the chancel (the area around the altar) and the aisles (side sections) were replaced. New seating was also installed.
What Does St Peter's Church Look Like?
The Outside of the Church
The church is mostly built from limestone and sandstone rocks. The roofs are covered with lead. The church has a main area called the nave with three sections. It also has a clerestory, which is a row of windows above the main part. There is a two-section chancel near the altar.
On the sides, there are north and south aisles. These aisles have small chapels at their eastern ends. The church also has a vestry (a room for clergy) on the north side. There is a porch on the south side. A tower stands at the west end of the church. The tower has three levels and a pyramid-shaped roof. It also has a small stair turret on the southwest side.
The main style of the church is Perpendicular. This is a type of Gothic architecture from the late Middle Ages. The south aisle has Norman features, which are older. The tower is built in the Early English style.
The Inside of the Church
Most of the church's furniture was designed by Paley and Austin. This includes the beautiful alabaster reredos, which is a decorated screen behind the altar. A screen in the north chapel dates back to 1605. The south door is very old, from around 1300.
In the porch, you can see a piece of an Anglo-Saxon cross. This cross is from the late 8th century. It has carvings of vines and animals. Some of the stained glass in the south chapel is from 1601. The stained glass in the east window was designed by William Warrington in 1844. Most of the glass in the south windows was made by Clayton and Bell. In the north chapel, there is a window from 1914 by Shrigley and Hunt. The west window, from 1924, was created by A. K. Nicholson.
The church also has several monuments, with the oldest one from 1626. There are six bells in the tower. All of them were made in 1870 by John Warner & Sons.
The Church Organ
Records show that an organ was destroyed in the fire of 1601. Another organ was likely destroyed during the Civil War around 1644.
The church's current organ has three manuals (keyboards). It is housed in a beautifully carved wooden case from 1887. This organ was made by Wilkinson of Kendal. It includes parts from an older instrument from the 19th century. The organ was improved and repaired in 1925 and 1952, also by Wilkinson. In 1979, Rushworth and Dreaper restored and expanded it. A full overhaul was done in 1995 by David Wells, costing about £38,000.
What Else Can You See Outside the Church?
The churchyard has several other important structures. These are also listed as Grade II buildings.
- A cross stands to the south of the church. It was put up in 1920 to remember those who died in the First World War. It is a Celtic cross design by J. F. Curwen.
- The lych gate (a covered gateway to the churchyard) is from 1894. It has sandstone pillars with timber above and a slate roof.
- To the south of the church, there is a table tomb for the Docker family. The earliest date carved on it is 1766.
- Another table tomb for the Crampton family is nearby, with an earliest date of 1760.
- To the southeast, there is a table tomb for the Dickinson family. Its earliest date is 1763, but it was probably set up around 1770.
- South of the Dickinson tomb, you can find a sandstone sundial from 1690.
See also
- Grade II* listed buildings in South Lakeland
- Listed buildings in Heversham
- List of ecclesiastical works by Paley and Austin
