Nominal: 769 Hz Weight: 1512 lbs Diameter: 42.18" Bell 1 of 6
Founded by Thomas II Mears 1820
Dove Bell ID: 7148 Tower ID: 14467 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Watford: St Peter & St Paul
Diocese of Peterborough
Church, 628071
https://www.stlawrences.org.uk/This church is on the Heritage at Risk Register (verified 2024-11-14)
View more information about this church on the Heritage at Risk website
Overview
Grid reference: SP 603 690
Medieval church perhaps built shortly after 1300, with a rebuild in the 15th century and further work in the 18th century. The church was restored and re-ordered around 1850. There are marked graves going back to the early 18th century. The village is recorded in Domesday Book.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Aisled nave and chancel, south and north porch, north chapel, west tower.
Dimensions:
Nave 16x9m, chancel 8m long.
Footprint of Church buildings: 504 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Medieval site with burials since the 13th century, marked graves from the 18th. Burials from the Medieval and Post-Medieval periods and foundations and other features related to the church can be expected on this site.
Watford is mentioned in the Domesday book of 1086. There are a number of earthworks and deserted medieval settlement traces in the area surrounding the church. A large Elizabethan House nearby was pulled down in the 1970s.
Exterior Description
The church is a fine example of an Ironstone Medieval village church of the period, basically early 14th-century and Early English visible inside, and Perpendicular of the late 15th-century in style, visible outside. The fine Perpendicular west tower gives vertical emphasis and has castellated parapet and gargoyle waterspouts. Traceried 2-light bell openings, and 4-light west window with panel tracery.
Perpendicular clerestory of 2-light windows. Aisled nave with 3-light east window to south aisle, c.1300 with intersecting tracery. Two similar 3-light windows in the south wall to east of porch and two pairs of lancets to west of porch. Flat arched Perpendicular window without tracery in west wall of south aisle and straight headed doorway of same date below. 14th-century west window without tracery to north aisle. Early 14th-century three-light window with reticulated tracery to west of north porch, and two similar windows to east. Fine 5-light window with geometrical tracery (damaged and partly renewed) in east wall of north chapel.
The north porch, unused, is mid-18th-century with pedimented gable and arched doorway with key block. 14th-century south porch with moulded outer arch with headstops, the main entrance.
Perpendicular chancel incorporating early 14th century work. 4-light east window with 4-centred arch and panel tracery. Three similar 3-light windows on the south wall. Priest's doorway of c.1300 has chamfered arch.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
14th century aisled
Chancel
14th century
Porch
18th century north and south
Chapel (component)
14th century
Tower (component)
14th century west
Building Materials
Stone
14th century coursed and uncoursed ironstone rubble
Sandstone
14th century part of tower
Lead
19th century roof
Wood
14th century roof structure
Interior
Interior Description
Entry is via the 14th-century south porch, inner doorway of same date has hollowchamfered arch, the jambs rebuilt, and double ribbed plank door. Within, whitewashed walls with signs of damp particularly at west end. In the nave fixed box pews stand on raised wooden platforms. 3 bay nave arcades, c.1300, with octagonal piers, double chamfered arches, and hoods with large head stops.
The chancel has a Perpendicular sedilia and piscina with cinquefoiled arches. Early 14th-century tomb recess in the north wall has arch with deep hollow mouldings and short jamb shafts with leaf capitals. 14th-century double-chamfered arch to west (blocked) former opening to north chapel.
Very fine long north chapel, now converted to vestry, with panelled opening to east end of north aisle blocked and 19th-century doorway inserted. Three further ornate tomb recesses along the north wall with headstops to the arches. A splendid room.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th century High Altar, plain panelled chest, Victorian.
Pulpit
19th century Wood, traceried panels on coved stem, Victorian.
Lectern
19th century Wood, Victorian, turned stem.
Font (component)
19th century Octagonal bowl supported on stumpy central stone shaft with C18 cover. Older probably original C14 font bowl on floor nearby.
Reredos
19th century Victorian panels with Creed and Lords Prayer.
Pew (component)
19th century Late box pews c1850
Stall
19th century Oak choir stalls with poppy heads, also 1850.
Rail
19th century Altar rails c1800, Gothic revival.
Organ (component)
19th century Single manual pipe organ by Bevington & co of Soho, London, undated but perhaps early 19th century.
Inscribed Object
17th century Monuments in chancel include Sir George Clerke, died 1649. Black and white marble architectural wall table with segmental pediment and black columns, described by Pevsner as "uncommonly noble". George Clarke (probably late C17) to left of it. Architectural wall tablet in grey and white marble.
Bells
Nominal: 1228.5 Hz Weight: 532 lbs Diameter: 28.88" Bell 2 of 6
Founded by Henry II Bagley 1695
Dove Bell ID: 44520 Tower ID: 14467 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Nominal: 1066.5 Hz Weight: 588 lbs Diameter: 30.75" Bell 3 of 6
Founded by Abraham I Rudhall 1712
Dove Bell ID: 44521 Tower ID: 14467 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Nominal: 972.5 Hz Weight: 644 lbs Diameter: 32.18" Bell 4 of 6
Founded by Henry II Bagley 1695
Dove Bell ID: 44522 Tower ID: 14467 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: multiple Cracked: No
Nominal: 918 Hz Weight: 812 lbs Diameter: 34.63" Bell 5 of 6
Founded by Henry II Bagley 1695
Dove Bell ID: 44523 Tower ID: 14467 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Nominal: 835.5 Hz Weight: 952 lbs Diameter: 37" Bell 6 of 6
Founded by Henry II Bagley 1695
Dove Bell ID: 44524 Tower ID: 14467 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SP 603 690
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/building is consecrated.
The churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
The churchyard is closed for burial by order in council.
The churchyard has war graves.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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