| Summary : Church, thought to be of 8th century origin, and possibly a minster; remodelled 12th, 14th and 15th centuries; restored 1866 and in later 19th century, vestry added 1913-4; restoration in 1866 destroyed many early features. A 10th-11th century cross, and a supposed Roman engraving are built into the fabric of the church. Listed Grade I. |
More information : [SK 5121 9875] St Peter's Church [T.U.] (1)
A church and priest at Conisbrough are recorded in the Domesday Survey (a). William, 2nd Earl Warenne, granted Conisbrough Church, with others, to Lewes Priory between 1091 and 1097. [Includes list of vicars from 1213 to 1559.] (2)
St Peter's Church, Conisbrough, visited April, 1853: "...an interesting church...having a nave with north and south aisle, a chancel and a west tower engaged with the aisles. There is much of Norman work, some Early English, and some later." The south aisle "...is partly Early English, but has late Perpendicular windows. Some of the same style are also inserted in the north aisle...The tower is Norman in its lower parts...The north arcade of the nave is also rude Norman...The south arcade is Early English...The east window of the south arch is Decorated of three lights. Within the south porch is a good semi-Norman door...The porch itself is Early English...There is also an Early English doorway...in the north aisle. The chancel arch is Norman...The chancel still retains small traces of Norman...The windows are Perpendicular....One Norman window remains in the north aisle." (3)
Description. (4)
Architectural description and description of stone coffin lid dated between 1088 and 1135. Wall compared with similar wall in Durham Cathedral of the Early Norman period. (5)
Architectural description & description of early sculptured stones including one of Norman date. (6)
Description of early sculptured stones including a pre-Conquest cross shaft, considered by Collingwood to be late 10th or early 11th century. (7)
Description and photo of sculptured tombstone. (8)
Description and diagram of cross. (9)
Archit. desc. mentions Norman hog-backed stone. (10)
The three stones described in the preceding recording are situated at the east end of the south aisle in St. Peter's Church. The church is in use for public worship. (11)
Description correct. (12)
A stone 'Madonna and Child' built into the east wall of the south porch may be Romano-British. (13)
'St. Peter's Church at Conisbrough, although the subject of one of the most savage Victorian restorations in South Yorkshire, has some claim to be the most interesting ancient parish church in the county. It is quite probably the oldest church, embodying extensive remains of a Saxon minster church of probably 8th century date. The pre-Conquest church appears to have consisted of nave with porticus to north and south, and perhaps flanking chambers to the east of the porticus, a chancel and western tower. In the later 12th century the Saxon building was remodelled, the porticus and lateral chambers being replaced by three-bay aisles. The 14th and 15th centuries saw the nave and the chancel extended eastward. Many ancient features were destroyed in the Victorian restoration, when the north aisle was rebuilt and an organ chamber added on the north side of the chancel.' (14)
Church of St Peter. Probably of 8th century origin, remodelled 12th, 14th and 15th centuries; restored 1866 and in later 19th century, vestry added 1913-4. Grade I. (15)
Additional reference. (16)
Full description of the Saxon cross. (17) |