NOTTINGHAM CHURCES - 1853

Though it is difficult to assign the period when this church was founded, or to say with absolute certainty which of the three parish churches has the most ancient foundation, some conjecture from the fact of the spiritual court being held in this building that the priority belongs to the venerable church of St. Peter. This structure retains portions said to be more ancient than are to be found in either of the other parish churches, the arcade in the south aisle of St. Peter's having been constructed about he year 1180.

The fabric stands upon the incline which falls westward from Bridlesmith gate to the foot of Wheeler gate, Hounds gate, and the Low pavement, and is about thirty-eight feet above the meadow land level. It is a handsome gothic structure, and consists of a nave, north and south aisles, chancel, and western tower. The south aisle, as we have already stated, belongs to the latter part of the twelfth century, the arcade with its carved capitals being a good and interesting specimen of the architecture of that period. That of the north aisle is loftier, while its general details show that is was erected about the year 1370. During the early part of the fifteenth century the roof of the nave was rebuilt and the fabric underwent such extensive repairs that some local historians have erroneously assigned this as the period when the present church was erected. The tower was evidently rebuilt about the middle of the same century and is remarkable for having for the long period that has intervened withstood the wear and tear of bell-ringing without a single failure.

There is a beautiful stone groined ceiling, which if thrown open to the nave would have a fine effect; it is, however, blocked up by the organ and west gallery. The spire with which the tower is surmounted was formerly adorned with ribs and crockets at its angles. About half a century ago a proposition was seriously entertained by parties living in the square to have the spire taken down, chiefly on account of its dangerous condition and to save the expense of repairs. Happily it still remains, though devoid of its crockets, in excellent stability and an ornament to the town.

In 1789 a mason named WOOTTON took down and rebuilt four yards of the spire without the aid of scaffolding. At the termination of his task the "steeple climber" walked round the summit of the spire, beat a drum, and drank a bottle of ale, to the terror of the assembled crowd. In 1826 some further repairs were effected on the summit by his son.

In consequence of a defect in the vane rod, which was formerly in three pieces, it was found necessary, in 1842, to take down and replace a few feet of the stone-work in order to fix a new rod in one piece. This operation was well and safely accomplished by Mr. Samuel HALL, stonemason, of this town.

In the tower there is a peal of eight bells cast in 1771, and said to be the most melodious and best attuned in the neighbourhood. The chancel was originally built about the same time as the north aisle, but was so much altered in the reign of Queen Anne that is presents a comparatively modern appearance. At the time of the civil war a temporary loft was thrown over this part of the building of the use of the congregation of St. Nicholas's church, who were allowed to attend here till their own place of worship was rebuilt.

A few years ago, on taking down a composition frontispiece, the ancient chancel arch was displayed in all its beauty. The vestry, at the north-east corner of the building, appears to be of very ancient date, and was formerly the chancel of All Saints. The chapel of St. Mary was situated on the south side of the church, a portion of which was rebuilt in 1800. In 1807 the north side was stuccoed and the portico taken down; and in 1814 the chancel was repaired. There is a gallery in the north aisle and one at the west end; in the latter stands the organ, which, raised by subscription in 1812, was built by LINCOLN, of London. The interior of he church is well pewed. A large window at the east end, containing several coats of arms in stained glass, was built up in 1720, when an altar piece was placed against it, representing the Last Supper, which was subsequently supplanted by a painting of Christ's Agony in the Garden, executed by the late Mr. BARBER.

The spiritual court is held in the south aisle; it was formerly kept in the chapel of All Saints. Here the archdeacon occasionally meets the churchwardens of the district at his visitation.

Within the church are a large number of tablet inscriptions, perpetuating the memories, among others, of William CRESSEY, a judge of the King's Bench in Ireland, died 1645; William AYSCOUGH, the printer, died 1719, and who is said by DEERING to have first introduced the art of printing into the town about the year 1710, and Alderman Thomas TRIGGE, whose burial place is marked by a marble monument in the south side. Near the vestry door is a white marble monument to the memory of Charlotte Elizabeth, daughter of Lord CARRINGTON, and wife of Alan HYDE, Lord GARDNER, died 1811. In 1739, a vault was being constructed for Mr. Abel SMITH, banker, when an arched tomb was discovered n the north wall containing a coffin enclosing the bones of a corpse, and in which was a red tile with cross keys and a sword emblazoned on it. The tile was supposed to be a remnant of the ancient pavement around the altar. The bones were conjectured to be those of John de PLUMPTRE, founder of the hospital "at the bridge end." The only ancient monument remaining is in ancient floor stone on which is an incised cross, and the name "Johannes MARTLETT." On a stone in the north aisle is the name of John GREAVES, died 1718, and of whom it was said:

According to the parish register Mr. COTES began a text upon the 5^th of November, 1640, and "on the same continued until the 15^th of the same month, and die before he finished it, and like a dying swan did sing most sweetly before his death." THROSBY copies an inscription from a tablet in the south aisle commemorating "John NODER, gent., of this town, who enjoyed fifty-six years of mutual love and domestic happiness, which was interrupted by his decease on the 9^th of January, 1789." "What a portion of conjugal happiness," cries the enthusiastic THROSBY. "What enjoyment, and what a contrast to some modern unions, that are soon followed by the most disastrous separations." What say ye to this revelation, ye of the olden time, who point a degenerate posterity to the perfections of your youthful days.

A guild book, preserved in the vestry, shows that from 1440 till the dissolution of chapels and monasteries there was a fraternity of St. George in connexion with the church. About thirty years ago more than 700 seats for the poor were erected. In 1831, a new burial ground in Broad marsh, containing 1600 square yards, was opened for the use of the parish.

The rectory of St. Peter, when presented by PEVEREL to the prior of Lenton, was valued at twenty marks; subsequently in the king's books at £8 7s. 6d. The present value of the living is about £300.

A century ago two sermons were preached each Lord's day, and on Wednesdays and Fridays prayers were read morning and afternoon. In 1641 John GOODALL provided an additional lecture every Friday morning. Now divine service is celebrated on the morning and evening of every Sabbath day.

We append a list of the rectors of St. Peter's from 1241:

1241, John de NOTTINGHAM;

1280, Johannes CATHAL;

1287, Richardus de STAPLETON;

1292, Joh. De Brus de PYKERING;

1300, Adam de KYRKBY;

1322, Lancelot de COREBTO;

1323, Willielmus de WILLOUGHBY; Robertus JOLAN;

1347, Willielmus de WHATTON;

1349, Henricus de KEYWORTH;

1369, Robertus de NEWBALD;

1375, Willielmus de RODINGTON; Hugo MARTEL;

1426, Johannes BURTON; Johannes DRAYTON;

1445, Willielmus GULL;

1483, Johannes MAYEWE;

1486, Robertus COTYNGHAM;

1499, Willielmus ILKESTON;

1510, Joh: Plough KYNGSBURY;

1538, Johannes PLOUGH, jun.;

1550, Nicholaus COOKE;

1578, Johannes Nytter vel WITTIE;

1583, Carolus AYNSWORTH;

1588, Radulphus SHUTTE;

1593, Johannes PARE;

1604, Franciscus RODES;

1606, Roger FREEMAN;

1610, Johannes KELLE;

1610, Thomas LOW;

1617, Georgius COTES;

1618, Hugo PARKE, sequestrator;

1619, Georgius COTES;

1614, Johannes GOODALL; (Query 1620 not 1614?)

1642, Johannes AYSTHORPE; Richard WHITCHURCH, appointed by the parliamentary party;

1656, John BARRETT;

1667, Samuel LEAK;

1672, Edwardus BUXTON;

1680, Willielmus WILSON, A.M.;

1693, Nathan DRAKO, A.M.;

1767, Samuel MARTIN, A.M.;

1782, Jeremiah BIGSBY, A.B.;

1797, John STAUNTON, D.D.;

1814, Robert WHITE ALMOND, A.M.;

The rector is assisted in his duties by the Rev. Thomas GASCOIGNE, principal of the Cavendish hill academy, Sherwood. The parishioners are at present raising a subscription to aid in the maintenance of a curate.

The Sabbath school meets in a room in Hounds gate; the number of teachers is male 12, female 6, while the average attendance of scholars is about 50 girls, and 90 boys. The children of the Blue-coat school attend service in St. Peter's church and constitute the choir.

The churchyard adjoins the church: it was first inclosed in 1804. It is now surrounded by a strong wall, while digging the foundations for which, a few years ago, the workmen found a bas relief sculpture which had formerly belonged to the church and was taken from it when the north aisle was built.

St Peter's - own Web Site