Nominal: 1022 Hz Weight: 616 lbs Diameter: 29.88" Bell 1 of 3
Founded by James Barwell & Co 1914
Dove Bell ID: 46 Tower ID: 17704 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Adderley: St Peter
Diocese of Lichfield
Church, 620497
http://www.amica.org.ukOverview
Grid reference: SJ 661 395
In the middle ages Adderley was a thriving market town, and had a mediaeval church on the site of the present building. Nothing of this remains except the chapel which was added on the north side in 1635-7. The next building period is represented by the tower, which was erected in 1712, replacing a former structure which had become almost derelict. The main part of the church now standing dates from 1801. No architect is known for any part, but it is probably by Richard Baker, the builder of the church.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Churches Conservation Trust
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Cruciform, with west tower, three-bay aisleless nave, north and south family chapels in the position of transepts; virtually square chancel with a small organ chamber on the south side. A semi-permanent partition divides the nave from the eastern parts which are now dis-used.
Footprint of Church buildings: 393 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
In the middle ages Adderley was a thriving market town, and had a mediaeval church on the site of the present building. Nothing of this remains except the chapel which was added on the north side in 1635-7. The next building period is represented by the tower which was erected in 1712, replacing a former structure which had become almost derelict. The main part of the church now standing dates from 1801. No architect is known for any part, but it is probably by Richard Baker, the builder of the church.
Exterior Description
The west tower is short and, like the rest of the church, in a severe classical style with few decorative details. At each corner there is an attached Tuscan pilaster which plays the part of a buttress. The bases of these project beyond a moulded plinth which surrounds the lower six feet of the tower. In the west face there is the only window of any size. It is of two round-headed lights under a rounded moulding, the space between filled with a roundel. The style of the window in general seems to agree with that of the tower, although the stone above it which gives the date 1712 is only dowelled to the wall, not bonded in. The upper part of the tower which contains the belfry has a Y-traceriedlouvred opening in each face. The parapet is unpierced and conceal the roof. Pinnacles formerly at the corners were removed because of insecurity. As a result the tower looks more squat than it should.
The rest of the church is cruciform, built of the same stone as the tower and very similar in style in spite of being a century later. The nave has three windows in the north wall and two and the main door in the south wall. These windows, together with two more each in the side walls of the chancel and the south transept give the impression of being punched in the wall because they have no sills or peripheral mouldings of any sort. They are all of the same design, pointed with two-centred arched heads. The tracery is of cast iron, an unusual feature but to be expected in this area so close to the birthplace of the iron and steel industry at Ironbridge. Each window has three lights with pointed heads and then two panels above. All sections are filled with small rectangular panes. The nave, chancel and south transept have a prominent cornice at the wall-head surmounted by a plain parapet which conceals the gutters. The roof of the nave is the same height and pitch as that of the chancel and the south transept, and all three are slated.
The south transept has a gabled south wall with a large recessed panel in the central part, the gable treated as a very plain pediment. There is no window in this wall. Between the transept and the chancel is an organ chamber, evidently a later addition since the exterior cornice of the church continues uninterrupted inside it. It is sympathetically done, in the same materials and style as the walls each side of it.
The oldest part of the church now extant is the north transept which was added to the mediaeval church by the Needham family in 1625 as.a result of long wrangling between this family and the other important local family, the Corbets.
Interior
Interior Description
The nave is light and well-kept, with a stone flagged floor and sturdy oak pews which stand on wooden platforms. The Norman font just within the south door is massive and square on a circular roll-moulded pedestal. The curved stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments from the eastern apse are now on the west wall, the incised "black-letter" script painted red and blue.
The walls are panelled up to window-sill level with a panelled dado. Above this they are plastered and painted white. The ceiling is flat and without decoration, also white.
The vestry is in the ground floor of the tower, divided off by an oak screen with a panelled door in the centre, the rest of the tower arch being open above, so that light comes into the church from the window in the west-tower wall.
The chancel is also apsidal and in the same style as the nave and south transept. It is divided from the crossing space by a wooden screen of Corinthian columns standing on a panelled base. The central opening is closed by iron gates and there is a Rood above. Like the south aisle, the chancel is lit by a window in each lateral wall. There are important brasses on the floor and some interesting monuments on the walls. The floor at the crossing has several ledger slabs of interest also. The panelled dado of nave and transept is continued in the chancel, and the organ chamber on the south side now stands empty.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
The Altar has a stone nineteenth-century mensa supported on spiral wooden columns, the three front panels filled with embroidered squares depicting; Alpha and Omerna and (centrally) the Agnus Dei.
Rail
The communionrails are of Jacobean type with fluted columns on baluster bases carved with foliage.
Stall
The choir stalls appear to be new, but are in a good traditional style, suitable for the building with arcaded fronts.The choir stalls appear to be new, but are in a good traditional stylei suitable for the building with arcaded fronts.
Table
A Stuart commiunion table with turned baluster legs and square stretchers stands in the vestry.
Font (object)
c. 11th Century
The font is a massive oblong, roughly chamfered at the lower corners to fit on the thickset cylindrical base. The sides are thus roughly semi-circular, and are decorated with stylized flowers of interlacing Celtic type at the end and Maltese crosses on the smaller sides. Round the rim runs the inscription probably reading '+HIC MALE PRIMUS HOMO FRUITUR CUM CONIUGE POMO', a strange allusion (for a font) to the eating of the forbidden fruit. The inscription is mediaeval, but the font itself is Norman.
Screen
1908
The oak screen across the tower arch is a memorial of 1908.
Brass
Sir Robert Nedeham and his wife Agnes. He died in 1556 and she in 1560. He is in Tudor armour and she wears a long kirtle; two small panels below show their seven sons and two daughters.
Brass
c. 1390
An ecclesiastic, provisionally dated about 1390. The figure represented is an Abbot or a Bishop since he holds a pastoral staff. Unfortunately the head of the figuru and the top of the staff are missing. He is wearing an amice, alb, dalnatic, maniple and chasuble. There is no inscription.
Brass
c. 1877
Brass inscription tablet on the east wall to Richard Corbet of Adderley, d. 1877.
Screen
Late 18th Century
The chancel screen is of handsome quality, probably late 18th century. A panelled dado and a moulded crossbeam supported by six wooden columns with composite capitals and concave abaci. Entrance gates of iron.
Pulpit
18th Century
The pulpit is a panelled 18th century hexagonal design.
Bells
Nominal: 1293 Hz Weight: 392 lbs Diameter: 25.5" Bell 2 of 3
Founded by Thomas II Clibury 1671
Dove Bell ID: 7992 Tower ID: 17704 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1125 Hz Weight: 504 lbs Diameter: 27.75" Bell 3 of 3
Founded by Staffordshire founder
Dove Bell ID: 7993 Tower ID: 17704 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SJ 661 395
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/building is consecrated.
The churchyard has been used for burial.
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
Quinquennial Inspections
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