SK8224 : Church of St Peter, Stonesby
taken 7 years ago, near to Stonesby, Leicestershire, England
The church consists of aisled nave with chancel, south porch and west tower.
Although a church probably existed from Norman times, the body of the church is early 14th century, in Decorated style, the tower being from the latter part of the 14th century, in Perpendicular style, owing something to the style of tower developed in Somerset. Many of the windows retain their simple Y-tracery. The chancel was refaced in 1667.
The usual Victorian restoration did involve any radical rebuilding.
Although the church appears to have been built in one period, the two aisle arcades are very different, the north arcade having circular columns, and the south arcade octagonal columns. The nave roof appears to retain much of its original timbering, and rests on several corbels with carved grotesques.
The east wall of the north aisle shows what appears to be an earlier roof line, and a blocked arch, visible also from outside. Coupled with a partial blind arch in the north wall of the chancel, this suggests a separate chapel at the east end of the aisle but there are no records that confirm this.
There is an octagonal Norman font, clearly reworked during the 19th century restoration, with much more regular features that would probably have been seen on the original. At the west end of the nave are 3 15th century poppyhead bench ends incorporated into a pair of Victorian bench pews. The ends are quite plain but have unusual upturned heads on the 'arm rests'.
There are boards with the Lord's Prayer, Creed, and the 10 Commandments above the chancel arch.
The church is Listed Grade II*.