Weight: 1426 lbs Diameter: 43.63" Bell 1 of 6
Founded by Thomas Purdue 1672
Dove Bell ID: 5964 Tower ID: 12154 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Shaftesbury: St Peter
Diocese of Salisbury
Church, 634188
http://shaftesburycofe.org.uk/Overview
Grid reference: ST 862 229
Although of great antiquity, Shaftesbury's appearance owes most to the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Any survival from an earlier period is therefore of special architectural and historical importance to the town and St. Peter's church in a prominent position on the edge of Gold Hill - is the most significant. The tower is probably the oldest portion of the fabric, dating from the early 13th century and later modified.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave, north aisle, south aisle, west tower and porch; there is no structural division between nave and chancel and the aisles extend to the east end. The north aisle is also extended to the west face of the tower, and space for a crypt is afforded by the slope to the south.
Footprint of Church buildings: 307 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The tower is probably the oldest portion of the fabric, dating from the early 13th century and later modified . The main arcading and walls of the nave and aisles appear to be later 13th century work, and all the windows are later insertions still.
Exterior Description
Much of the visual importance of the church is dependent on the passive and imposing west tower, placed somewhat precariously upon the edge of the steep slope of Gold Hill; because of its position, the tower's foundations have shown a tendency to move, and have been extensively buttressed. In the 18th century tie-rods were inserted at various levels and there have been subsequent repairs. There is a north-west corner stair-turret, and the top is battlemented. The west window is post-mediaeval in date, though in an original opening with hood-mould. An elegant addition to the west side of the tower is the late 15th century west porch: the fan-vault has bosses showing some traces of original colour. This porch was formerly the main entrance, but lost some of its usefulness and character when the Town Hall was built in 1827, close up against thewest side of the church. Almost as notable as the tower and porch is the north aisle.
The parapet is unusually elaborate: battlements rest on a row of pierced panels , below which is a row of quatrefoils and a hollow string- course ornamented with the rose, portcullis and other devices - all, probably, late 15th century. The three windows of the aisle have Decorated openings but Perpendicular label-stops. The tracery of the windows is extremely simple, consisting in each case of a single mullion.
The nave clerestory is composed of two lights paired under square-headed openings. In 1928 the north side was said to have been modernised. The east window is Perpendicular and of five lights, but is known to have been taken down and rebuilt.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
East window are fragments formerly in the windows of the north aisle.
Interior
Interior Description
There is an air of spaciousness inside the building, as much due to the uncomplicated structure as to the amount of light coming into the building. A simple arcade divides each aisle from the nave, with clerestory windows above. The most notable features are the fine low-pitched roofs of the nave and north aisle, with large moulded oak beams dividing them into compartments: these are probably 14th or 15th century in date. The nave roof has a break three bays from the east, marking off what was intended to be the chancel from the four bays of the nave. The same design is used for both of these roofs, but a slight difference of pitch occurs between the two; some of the principal beams have brackets carried on stone corbels, The roofs were extensively repaired in the 18th century (which is perhaps the date of the flat pastered ceiling of the south aisle) but all the woodwork appears to be original; iron strapping and brackets were used for the repairs. At the west end of the church the floor of the ringing chamber has been lowered and, unfortunately, this cuts across the apex of the tower arch.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
17th Century
Oak panelling
Table
1631
Reredos
18th Century
Rail
Late 17th Century
Table
1700
in north doorway of oak, with tapering, octagonal legs and claw feet
Font (object)
15th Century
Octagonal bowl, stem, and base are 15th century. The plinth is probably 17th century.
Font (component)
18th Century
Font cover of wood, low eight-sided dome with moulded rim and ribs
Bells
Weight: 654 lbs Diameter: 31" Bell 2 of 6
Founded by Thomas Purdue 1684
Dove Bell ID: 38494 Tower ID: 12154 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 575 lbs Diameter: 31.63" Bell 3 of 6
Founded by Robert II Austen & Thomas Bickham 1670
Dove Bell ID: 38495 Tower ID: 12154 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 694 lbs Diameter: 35" Bell 4 of 6
Founded by William Cockey 1738
Dove Bell ID: 38496 Tower ID: 12154 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 908 lbs Diameter: 37.25" Bell 5 of 6
Founded by William Cockey 1738
Dove Bell ID: 38497 Tower ID: 12154 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 1519 lbs Diameter: 43.25" Bell 6 of 6
Founded by Robert I Wells 1776
Dove Bell ID: 38498 Tower ID: 12154 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: ST 862 229
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
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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