Description

TF 0920 SOUTH STREET
TF 0919 (East Side)
Parish Church of
773/10/37 St Peter and St Paul

2.5.49.

GV I

2 Saxon arches discovered in 1892 to the north suggests that a church
may have existed on this site from early times, but the present building
was formerly the church of the Priory of Augustinian (Arrouaisian)
Canons founded in 1138 by Count Baldwin FitzGilbert (Strongbow). Blank
arcading to the north west of the church at its west end may be the
remains of the monks' domestic quarters and traces of the kitchens
survived into the late C19. When the priory was dissolved in 1540 the
church was retained for the parish.
The 4-bay nave arcading is the only Norman work to survive, each side
being borne on massive piers with scalloped capitals. The aisles were
widened in the C15. Modern alterations to the north side.
A rebuilding scheme was commenced in 1200 but the twin towers projected
for the west end only the south west one was completed. This tower is
perpendicular with pairs of transomed 2-light bell openings. The north
east pier has been strengthened. A triple lancet replaced the original
perpendicular one in 1870.
The south porch is C15, embattled in the decorated style.
Perpendicular west doorway, aisle window to north and south and tall
3-light clerestory windows. The chancel was rebuilt in 1807.
The C15 octagonal font is perpendicular with an inscription overall
8 fields. Brass chandelier of 3 tiers dated 1742. NMR
Many of the gravestones and tombs in the churchyard have well-designed
and executed ornament and lettering.
Robert Manning (Robert de Brunne) a Sempringham monk, born in 1270, whose
"Chronicle of the History of England" is one of the earliest translations
from Norman French to weld together the various English dialects, spent
the last 46 years of his life as a schoolmaster in Bourne Abbey.

Nos 31 to 35 (odd), Nos 32, 34, 34A, 36, Parish Church of St Peter and
St Paul and the Old Grammar School form a group.

Listing NGR: TF0969219985

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Bourne Abbey at Wikipedia
• Bourne Abbey official website
• Wikidata Q4950215

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Worcestershire Revised Edition (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  England's Post-War Listed Buildings
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)