Church of St Peter and St Paul, Coleshill, Warwickshire

Description

COLESHILL CHURCH HILL
SP2089-2189
(South side)
10/9
Church of St. Peter and St.
08/09/61
Paul

GV I
Church. C14 and C15 but drastically restored in 1868-9 by W. Slater. Ashlar,
much renewed in the C19; plain tile roofs. West tower, 6-bay nave with side
aisles, 3-bay chancel and north-east vestry. West tower: probably mid to late
C15. 3 stages with 5 stage diagonal buttresses capped by crocketed pinnacles at
parapet level. Plinth with moulded coping and a crenellated parapet with
continuous coping to merlons and embrasures, and trefoil-headed panelling. The
recessed stone spire was rebuilt in 1888: it is crocketed up the edges and has 3
tiers of lucarnes with crocketed hood moulds. West doorway with roll and
hollow-moulded surround, 4-centred arch and crocketed hood mould with carved
angel stops. Large window above of 5 cinquefoil-headed lights with panel tracery
beneath a 4-centred arch with crocketed hood mould terminating in winged
monsters. The second stage has windows of 2 trefoil-headed lights with
battlemented transoms, beneath elongated triangular arches with hood moulds
terminating in winged monsters. Above the north, south and west windows is a
canopied niche with crocketed hood mould in each case partially concealed by a
clock. Each face of the belfry stage has a pair of transomed 2-light windows
flanked by similar blind windows beneath a continuous crocketed hood mould with
monster stops. Nave and aisles: C19 pointed 2-light side windows with
Geometrical tracery, hollow segment-moulded surrounds and hood moulds with stops
carved as heads. The east and west windows of both aisles each have 3 lights.
Buttresses are placed diagonally at the angles, and at the bay divisions of the
north and south sides. Coved eaves with carved fleurons. C19 north and south
porches: gabled, with pointed entrance arches springing from cylindrical shafts
with moulded capitals; scroll-moulded dripstones. Chancel: late C15. Plinth with
moulded coping. Buttresses set diagonally at the eastern angles and at the bay
divisions to the north and south: each has a gargoyle and crocketed pinnacle
above, the latter have panelled sides. Parapet string and crenellated parapet
with continuous coping to merlons and embrasures. Side windows of 5
trefoil-headed lights with panel tracery, beneath a 4-centred arch and returned
hood mould. Similar 7-light east window, probably C19. Priest's doorway of 2
roll-moulded orders with a 4-centred arch and a heavily crocketed hood mould
terminating in carved harts. C19 vestry with windows of 2 trefoil-headed lights
surmounted by quatrefoils. Western doorway of 2 roll-moulded orders with a
4-centred arch. Crenellated parapet, the parapet string serving as a hood mould
to the windows. Interior: 7-bay nave arcades consisting of pointed arches of 2
chamfered orders springing from octagonal columns with moulded capitals. Mainly
C14 but the 3 western bays are C15 and probably contemporary with the west
tower. Tall pointed tower arch with wide ogee moulding springing from
semi-octagonal half columns with moulded capitals. There is an outer wide sunk
chamfered order. Pointed chancel arch of 2 chamfered orders springing from
moulded imposts on octagonal half columns. C14/C15 wagon roofs over nave and
aisles, the former is of rounded section and the latter segmental pointed. The
members of the nave roof are painted with trailing foliage, fleur-de-lys and
other fleurons. In the chancel are the remains of a piscina and vaulted sedilia.
In the north wall is a doorway to the vestry which matches the external doorway
in the south wall in that it has a four-centred head and a heavily crocketed
hood mould terminating in carved deer and surmounted by a fleur-de-lys. C15 low
pitch roof carried on camvbered tie beams panelled with trefoil-headed arcading.
The tie beams are supported on brackets which spring from stone corbels carved
as angels. Moulded ridge piece and purlins with carved floral bosses. Fittings:
outstanding C12 font. Squat base and circular basin carved with round-headed
arcading springing from cylindrical columns with cushion capitals, which form 11
compartments altogether. The arcading is interrupted to the east by a crucifix
with the Virgin and St. John to either side. The scene is surrounded by a
circular band which cuts across the 2 supporting figures. The other 9
compartments contain alternately interlaced or vertical foliage scrolls, and
single figures (four in all). C19 octagonal pulpit in a quite elaborate Gothic
style with Geometrical tracery to the panelled sides, and a leaf encrusted
cornice. In the north aisle are 2 carved stone heads brought from a site in the
High Street, probably C12. Early C17 chest with elaborately curved sides. A
bookrest said to be of 1603. C18 iron chest or strongbox. Oak parish chest bound
with iron straps, possibly C14. Monuments: 2 early C14 cross-legged knights each
with a surcoat and mail hood. The one in the south aisle has been identified
with John I de Clinton, died circa 1300. He bears a shield emblazoned with the
Clinton arms of (argent) a chief (azure) with 2 fleur-de-lys (or) therein. The
knight in the north aisle is said to represent John II de Clinton, died circa
1320. Several monuments in the chancel. 3 brasses: William Abnell, vicar,
d.1500; Alice Clifton, d.1506; and Sir John Fenton, d.1586. The other monuments
are all Digbys: Simon, d.1519 and his wife Alice: alabaster; 2 recumbant
effigies on a chest tomb with twisted columns at the corners, and panelled and
traceried sides bearing heraldic shields; Simon Digby wears plate armour, his
head rests on a helmet and his feet on a lion. Reginald; d.1519, and his wife
Anne: incised alabaster slab on a chest tomb; 2 effigies with a row of children
at their feet. John, d.1558 and his wife Anne: alabaster; 2 recumbant effigies
on a chest tomb with their hands raised in prayer; he is in armour with his head
on a helmet and feet on a lion. On the east face of the chest are a son in
armour, and 2 sons in laymens dress, and a child in swathing bands. Sir George,
d.1586 and wife: 2 recumbant effigies on a chest tomb with their hands raised in
prayer. Sir George is in plate armour, the heads of both figures rest on
cushions; around the sides are figures of kneeling children. Sir Robert Digby,
d.1618; tall narrow tablet, scrolled to the sides with convex inscription panel
capped by an Ionic capital; the whole is surmounted by an heraldic shield with
garlands of fruit to each side. First Lord Digby, d.1661: pedestal tomb with
giant urn on top. Stained glass: good late C19 windows in the chancel and in the
west walls of the tower and aisles.
(Buildings of England: Warwickshire, pp235-6; VCH: Warwickshire, pp54-6)

Listing NGR: SP2011889058

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Church of St Peter and St Paul

A Grade I Listed Building in Coleshill, Warwickshire

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Description

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