Details
SYSTON
SK 6211 LOWER CHURCH STREET (East Side)
9/118 Church of Saints Peter and Paul
1.6.66
GV I
Parish church, partially C13, with early C14 and Perpendicular work, and
externally substantially as restored by Ordish, c1870-80. Pink granite rubble
with white limestone dressings. West Tower, nave with clerestory and two
aisles, and chancel. Buttressed tower is Perpendicular, four stages with
west doorway in roll-moulded and hollow chamfered ogee archway with outer
squared hood mould on large and worn corbel heads, with quatrefoils etc.,
in the spandrels. The door itself is C19 with blank traceried patterns.
Large 3-light geometric traceried light above. Two-tiered paired lights
to bell chamber. Upper stage is of white ashlar. Quatrefoil frieze below
embattled parapet with slender angle pinnacles. South aisle is the work
of Ordish, but porch is C14; a shallow coped gable, and buttresses with
moulded archway springing from a chamfer with a niche over it. Two tiny
windows in its east and west walls with stained glass. The fenestration
of the aisle is a heavy geometric style with pointed arched stilted hood
moulds, with corbels. Ogee arched doorway to east. Ashlar parapet with masks
etc. Tomb recess in south wall; moulded arch with inner ogee, early C14.
Clerestory is Perpendicular with embattled parapet and grotesque gargoyles
on pilasters between the windows. The Chancel is of c1870-80. It has a 5-light
tiered east window with statue in niche above. Quatrefoil freize to north
and pilasters. One pinnacle, and a larger pinnacle marking its eastern end
with mutilated fleurons. North aisle details similar to those of south.
Inside, the Church is largely Perpendicular. The west tower arch and its 3-sided
responds are embellished with trefoiled panels in the stone. Steep pitch of
former nave roof visible above. Nave of 5 bays with two arcades, their hexagonal
piers and broad-chamfered arches again all decorated with traceried panels.
Corbel heads to outer hood-mould. Reveals of clerestory windows also panelled.
Good Perpendicular nave roof, with moulded and chamfered tie-beams, and
sculptural King and Queen posts, human effigies. Painted wood angel wall posts
support the tie beams by curved braces, stifly carved figures carrying emblems
and now minus their wings (the two eastern most are restorations) standing
on qrotesque stone corbel heads. Various carved and painted bosses, foliage,
green men etc. North and South aisles both c1879-80, painted rubble.
Perpendicular chancel arch, with panelled decoration, but Victorian plain
chamfered responds, and low marble screen wall, with fine brass gates, presumably
by Ordish. Chancel, north vestry and south chapel are entirely Victorian.
Chancel roof of angular timbering; long struts supporting a high collar.
Inlaid marble reredos and aumbrey to north with fine brass hinges. Intricately
traceried wood screens to north and south. The Sedilia to the south is a C13
survival.
10-sided font, probably C13, with unornamented shield-shaped panels, slightly
mutilated, on solid base with four shafts. Wood Victorian pulpit, very elaborate;
leaning angels support the main body of it, which has carved figures in highly
wrought traceried niches. Curved sounding board and canopy above, also ornately
worked. Stained glass in the south aisle and in one north aisle window, 1870-
80, unattributed. Central panels depicting biblical scenes etc., in wide margins
with floral motifs. Chancel window has saints, prophets etc., in architectural
settings.
Listing NGR: SK6262411859
