St Peter and St Paul's Church, Kettering facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Kettering
St Peter and St Paul’s Church in 2022
St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Kettering Location in Northamptonshire
52°23′48.64″N 0°43′35.88″W / 52.3968444°N 0.7266333°W / 52.3968444; -0.7266333
Location	Kettering, Northamptonshire
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
History
Dedication	Peter and Paul
Architecture
Heritage designation	Grade I listed
Specifications
Spire height	179 feet (55 metres)
Administration
Parish	Kettering
Deanery	Kettering
Archdeaconry	Oakham
Diocese	Peterborough

St Peter and St Paul's Church is a historic Church of England church located in Kettering, Northamptonshire. It is a very important building, recognized as a Grade I listed building, which means it has special historical or architectural significance.

Discovering the Church's Past

The church's early history is a bit of a mystery. We know that the first priest, or rector, started working there around 1219 or 1220. This tells us the church has been around for at least 800 years!

When Was the Church Built?

Most of the church you see today was rebuilt in the mid-15th century. This means it's over 500 years old! The part of the church called the chancel, which is near the altar, was built earlier, around 1300. It shows a style called Early Decorated. The rest of the building is mostly in the Perpendicular style, which was popular in England during the late Middle Ages.

How Tall is the Spire?

One of the most striking features of the church is its tall, pointed tower, known as a spire. This spire has decorative carvings called crockets and reaches an impressive height of 179 feet (55 metres)!

Hidden Art: Medieval Wall Paintings

Inside the church, you can still find two old wall paintings from the medieval period. One shows two angels with feathered wings, and the other is a faded image of a saint. These paintings offer a glimpse into the church's ancient past.

Church Life Today

St Peter and St Paul's Church is an active place of worship. It shares its parish, or local church area, with another church in Kettering, St Michael and All Angels’ Church.

Musical Features of the Church

The church has a beautiful organ and a set of bells that add to its services and events.

The Church Organ

The organ was rebuilt in 2004 by Kenneth Canter. It sits in a case that dates back to 1892 or 1893, designed by a famous architect named Arthur Blomfield. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.

The Church Bells

The church has a set of 12 bells. These bells were made in 2004 by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London, a very old and famous bell-making company.

Special Carvings

Above the North Door of the church, you can see statues of St Peter and St Paul. These carvings were made by a local author and publisher named J. L. Carr. They replaced older carvings that were damaged during the Reformation, a big change in the church's history. These new carvings were officially dedicated in a special service on October 7, 1984.

Images for kids

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  The church as illustrated in 1843