| Summary : This uniquely dedicated church consists of an aisled nave and an aisleless chancel, with a small north chapel. The north arcade of the nave is of well-developed Norman work, the south arcade is Early English and the chancel arch is of an intermediate transitional style. It is, however, clear that the fabric of the nave through which these arches have been cut is of Late-Saxon date. The southeast quoin of the nave is a good example of long-and-short work, and the Anglo-Saxon date is further confirmed by the long, narrow proportions of the nave and its very thin walls. Restored in 1848 and 1853. The dedication to St Pega, (died 719), sister of St Guthlac, is unique, and traditionally she is said to have founded a community at Peakirk. It is thought that the church at Peakirk attained the status of a minster. Between 1053 and 1065 Peakirk monastery was united with Crowland Abbey, and the church became its possession. |
More information : (TF 1681 0609) St Pega's Church (1)
Unique dedication. Has work of 12th - 15th c; some questionable
AS (SE quoin, nave). (2)
Church restored in 1848 and 1853.(3)
In normal use. (4)
St Pega's church consists of an aisled nave and an aisleless
chancel, with a small north chapel. The north arcade of the nave
is of well-developed Norman work, the south arcade is Early
English and the chancel arch is of an intermediate transitional
style. It is, however, clear that the fabric of the nave through
which these arches have been cut is of Late-Saxon date. The
southeast quoin of the nave is a good example of long-and-short
work, and the Anglo-Saxon date is further confirmed by the long,
narrow proportions of the nave and its very thin walls. (5)
Church of St Pega. Traces of C11 work in east end of nave but principally from C12. Grade I. (see list for details) (6)
St Pega. A unique dedication, St Pega was the sister of St Guthlac of Croyland across the Lincolnshire border (7)
There is evidence to support the idea of a Saxon monastic community here. Peakirk probably attained minster status, and between 1053 and 1065 the church was united with Crowland Abbey. (8,9)
The Hermitage, Peakirk, is the traditional site of St Pega's cell, but the only Mediaeval referencewas to it calls it the Chapel of St Bartholomew, and it is possible that the cell's site was alternatively at Crowland, with which St Pega had strong associations. (10,11)
There is a tradition of a cell or monastery on the site of St Pega's cell and Knowles and Hadcock dubiously give it as a cell in the 8th c, refounded c 1000 and dissolved 1048. (12)
The tradition of a monastery at Peakirk (TF 1606) is that it was founded by St Pega about 714 and was dissolved about 870. However the only sure evidence of a monastery is in the 11th century when Wulfgeat became abbot about 1053 and obtained the consent of Edward the Confessor for its union with Crowland. (13)
Additional source examining the evidence for St.Pega's associations with Peakirk and associated monastic insitutions (14) |