Marlborough: St Peter & St Paul
Overview
Grid reference: SU 185 687
There was probably a church on this site in the 11th century, but the present building was constructed mainly in the 15th century, c.1460, with a south porch added in 1500. In 1862-3 the church was thoroughly restored by Thomas Henry Wyatt, the diocesan architect, who was responsible for replacing a good many original features. The present east window and the nave roof, for instance, are his work.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Chancel, nave with north and south aisles, tower at the west end of the south aisle, and a south porch with a small priest's chamber above it.
Description of Archaeology and History
There was probably a church on this site in the 11th century, but the present building was constructed mainly in the 15th century, c.1460, with a south porch added in 1500. In 1862-3 the church was thoroughly restored by Thomas Henry Wyatt, the diocesan architect, who was responsible for replacing a good many original features. The present east window and the nave roof, for instance, are his work.
Exterior Description
The south porch is an appropriate point to begin an examination of the building. It has a square-headed Tudor doorway, which is in good condition apart from crumbling of the stone at the doorway edges and on the hood-moulding. Above the doorway is a small two-light window. Moving clockwise round the church, the toyer comes next; it is of three stages set on a plinth. The window in the south wall of the tower has three cinque foil-headed lights with Perpendicular tracery in the head; while the window in the west wall of the tower, though similar in design, has four lights. About four feet above the west window is a small square-headed window; and there is a belfry window in the third stage: The smoothly dressed ashlar face of the tower is in remarkably sound condition. Topping the tower structure on the octagonal buttresses are octagonal turrets, each with a pinnacle. That on the north west is more rounded than the other three, perhaps a result of their being rebuilt in 1701, a date recorded on a tablet within the porch.
The north aisle wall is articulated by four plain buttresses with set-offs and a window in each bay, the windows all having three cinquefoil-headed lights. The windows of the south aisle and those in the east walls of both aisles are all of the same design as those in the north aisle wall.
An examination of the east front is rewarding as it can be seen that the chancel window was once considerably larger than now. The present east window has three cinquefoil-headed lights, the middle one being taller than the others. The tracery above them is Perpendicular, with a characteristic Wyatt flavour. Over this window is a narrow trefoil-headed light, with square Tudor hood-moulding. Two square-based and crocketted pinnacles complete the aspect of the chancel's east wall.
In two places the church's external lines assume an unpredictable turn. The west wall of the north aisle is set diagonally to the line of the nave. There seems no obvious reason for this. And there is no matching line on the south side, where the surprise comes in the chamfered edge of the southeast aisle wall - again for no obvious reason. One explanation for the first of these apparent irregularities may have been the existence of houses built close up to the earlier church. A pleasant detail of carving is the lion, whose mask-head gazes down with popping eyes from the chamfered north-west edge of the nave wall.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1866
West window of the nave: five monumental figures in the main lights - St. Peter flanked by the four Evangelists. The inscription reads "Glory Be to God 1866".
Stained Glass
1860
West window of tower/south aisle. Eight scenes from the Old and New Testaments, two in each of the four main lights. (There seems no logical reason for the choice and order of the scenes). The window is in extremely vivid colours, with bold figure drawing well composed.
Stained Glass
South window of tower; Our Lord in the centre light with the disciples bringing children to Him and the text "Suffer little children..." Probably done by the sane firm as the west window.
Stained Glass
Chancel east window: Three lights with Crucifixion in the centre. Nativity in the left with a lamb in the tracery above, and the Angel Appearing to the Three Maries to the right with a pelican in the tracery above. Excellent colouring and graceful figures combine to make a really fine 19th Century window by Lavers and Barraad.
Stained Glass
1860s
East window of south Chapel: Three lights-Stephen, flanked by St. Peter and St. Paul.
Stained Glass
1870s
South aisle windows, excluding the one in the Lady Chapel; these seem to be a series. The easternmost has an inscription recording its erection in memory of David Malloy Price, d.1871 at Kingsbridge, Devon, and his wife.
Stained Glass
East window of north aisle: St. Cecilia in centre light. The rest is patterned glass.
Stained Glass
Easternmost window of north aisle: St. George in the centre light with figures symbolizing Faith and Fortitude flanking him. It is a memorial to "All ranks of the First Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment who served and fell in the Great War 1914-18" Possibly by Powell of Whitefriars.
Interior
Interior Description
The immediate impression is one of lofty elegance. Tall, slim piers with attached vertical mouldings support the two arcades, each of four bays. The light from the east window draws the'eye to the chancel where there is an uncommonly fine tierceron-vaulted ceiling, rising from three springers. In contrast to the white painted plaster work between the ribs of the vaulting is the richly coloured but dark encaustic tiling of the chancel floor. Straight-forward openwork screens divide the chancel from the side chapels. The north chapel is now used for lumber; the south chapel has been re-arranged since the 19th century remodelling the wooden reredos is inscribed 'In honour of all from this parish who served in the 1914-18 war'. There is a restored Jacobean chair at the back of the chapel, its pair being in the sanctuary.
Fixtures and fittings
Font (object)
19th Century
Presumably by Wyatt. Octagonal with symbols of the four Evangelists. The bowl rests on four short columns of pink marble. No trace remains of an earlier one.
Sedilia
Of double depth in chancel — part of Wyatt's work, but of original (i.e. 15th century) components.
Altar
19th - 20th Century
The front having three painted panels - Christ in Majesty, between ceasing angels.
Organ (object)
Electronic - owned by Marlborough College.
Clock
1746
A fascinating clock now at the west end, dated 1746. It is painted in black and yellow in imitation of lacquer work with secular, oriental-looking scenes below the face.
Pulpit
Wooden on stone base, with stone steps. Gilt-brass wrought bannister rail.
Screen
Two fine parclose screens delicately carved.
Pew (object)
Stall
Lectern
Churchyard
Grid reference: SU 185 687
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 | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
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
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