Nominal: 630.5 Hz Weight: 2495 lbs Diameter: 49" Bell 1 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1919
Dove Bell ID: 711 Tower ID: 13433 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Birstall: St Peter
Diocese of Leeds
Church, 646079
http://www.stpetersbirstall.co.ukOverview
Grid reference: SE 218 261
The present church of St Peter, originally dedicated to St Peter and St Paul, is the fourth stone church to occupy this site. In 1865 the building which had become too dilapidated to repair was taken down leaving only the Norman tower standing. Over the following five years a new church was built under the renowned architect, William Henry Crossland (1865-1908). It is a grade II* listed building and is maintained to a high standard.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 967 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The first stone church was built around 1100AD. The lower part of the tower is all that remains from that building. It was extended in 1200. In 1301 the community of Nostel Priory were appointed Rectors of the Parish and under their auspices the church was rebuilt between 1320 and 1390. From that period we have a Norman font, holy water stoops, part of a grave slab and three Knight Hospitaller tombstones. In 1490 the church was rebuilt again and it was at the re-dedication of the church that the ‘St Paul’ was dropped. This Tudor church was changed and added to during its 375 years. Some remarkable carved pew ends and a unique memorial brass remain from this period. In 1865 the building which had become too dilapidated to repair was taken down leaving only the Norman tower standing. Over the following five years a new church was built under the renowned architect, William Henry Crossland (1865-1908). It is a grade II* listed building and is maintained to a high standard. Although the date of the church is recorded as 1120AD it is, therefore, substantially Victorian. In 1901 Reginald E Frampton (1872-1923), the Pre-Raphaelite artist, was commissioned to paint a mural above the chancel arch. It shows Christ in Majesty surrounded by angels. It is one of just four surviving religious mural paintings by Frampton.
Various other changes have been made to the church since the 1870 rebuild including the addition of a rood screen; of a choir vestry (now the Sunday School Room) in the South-West corner; a nave dais and altar; a narthex wall (1997); provision of a toilet and kitchen facilities in the North-West corner; removal of pews from side aisles (2000); levelling of stone flagged aisles to pew platform height; and the creation of the Tower Room on the ground floor of the tower - which holds 8 bells of renown. The church has been the subject of major repairs under the direction of English Heritage since 2004 which saw the first of three phases completed. This phase concentrated with the nave, chancel and outer side aisle roofs with masonry work on the clerestory level and parapets. Phase 2 (2008) concentrated on the inner North aisle roof (replacing felt with stainless steel); North porch and drainage. Phase 3 (2013) concentrating on the tower, inner South aisle roof (replacing felt with stainless steel); South porch; replacement of damaged masonry adjacent to chimney flue; and drainage.
Exterior Description
The church was built under the renowned architect, William Henry Crossland (1865-1908). It is a grade II* listed building and is maintained to a high standard. Although the date of the church is recorded as 1120AD it is, therefore, substantially Victorian.
Interior
Interior Description
The church maintains a museum area in the south aisle. In this area can be found 18 (oak) pew ends/doors from 17th century; a Norman font, broken in two, was restored to the church in 1899; A stone mounted brass plaque dated 1632 inscribed in Latin, to the memory of Elizabeth Popeley, and originally mounted on the exterior of the pre-1865 building; 2 water stoups from the that or an earlier building. Also to be found in the museum area are two engraved stones which thought to be the oldest items in the church. One is regarded as being the base from a stone cross, engraved with the tree of life pattern, from the 9th century. The other is regarded as being a grave slab carved in the Viking sytyle. These two relics suggest that Birstall was a Christian site before the Norman conquest.
Bells
Nominal: 1263 Hz Weight: 581 lbs Diameter: 28.5" Bell 2 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1919
Dove Bell ID: 11400 Tower ID: 13433 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1182 Hz Weight: 570 lbs Diameter: 29" Bell 3 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1919
Dove Bell ID: 11401 Tower ID: 13433 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1052 Hz Weight: 637 lbs Diameter: 31.25" Bell 4 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1919
Dove Bell ID: 11402 Tower ID: 13433 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 943 Hz Weight: 751 lbs Diameter: 33.44" Bell 5 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1919
Dove Bell ID: 11403 Tower ID: 13433 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 840 Hz Weight: 1009 lbs Diameter: 37" Bell 6 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1919
Dove Bell ID: 11404 Tower ID: 13433 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 789.5 Hz Weight: 1145 lbs Diameter: 39" Bell 7 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1919
Dove Bell ID: 11405 Tower ID: 13433 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 710 Hz Weight: 1710 lbs Diameter: 44.13" Bell 8 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1919
Dove Bell ID: 11406 Tower ID: 13433 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SE 218 261
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.
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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