SK5461 : Church of St Peter and St Paul, Mansfield
taken 5 years ago, near to Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England
The parish church of Mansfield, dating back to the 12th century, although there is known to have been an earlier, Saxon, church on the site.
The medieval church consists of nave and chancel with north and south aisles, west tower and north and west porches. In the early 20th century an organ chamber was added as a transept to the south aisle and a new vestry at the east end of the church.
The lower stages of the west tower are the earliest part of the church, dating from the 12th century, the tower being raised in the 14th century. Typical twin-light belfry windows now light the ringing chamber. Internally there is a wide plain arch, with an opening into the ringing chamber. The original roof outline is clearly visible inside the nave. The original west door also survives.
The nave arcades date from the early 13th century, although the church was largely destroyed by fire in 1302. Rebuilding followed in the period up to 1420, in Decorated and Perpendicular styles. In 1475 chantry chapels were added as eastern extensions to both aisles, and from about the same time the clerestory was added, all this work in Perpendicular style.
The final stage of original building was the addition of the spire, different sources claiming either 1583 or 1666 for this.
The usual 19th century restoration saw less of the main fabric of the church replaced than in many churches, although all the roofs were replaced. Most of the interior fittings are from this period.
There is an early niche tomb in the south aisle with an effigy of a male figure dated to c.1300. It is thought that it could be a member of the Pierrepont family as there is a similar figure at Holme Pierrepont Church. It was for long held to be Lady Flogan, a benefactress of Mansfield in the early 16th century, but the figure is much older than that. This is the only significant early monument, although there are a number of remnants of medieval cross slabs distributed around the church.
The church is Listed Grade I.
For comprehensive details, see the Southwell & Nottingham Church History Project entry Link