Church of St Peter and St Paul, Exton
Map
LocationExton, Rutland
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
History
DedicationSt Peter, St Paul
Administration
DiocesePeterborough
ParishExton, Rutland
Laity
Churchwarden(s)Sally Miller[1]

The Church of St Peter and St Paul is a church in Exton, Rutland. The Church of England parish church lies within the park of Exton Hall, slightly apart from the village. It is a large medieval church and contains an impressive collection of monuments, including work by Joseph Nollekens. It is a Grade I listed building.[2]

History

The current exterior of the church dates back to the 13th century, though the interior is mostly Victorian. In 1843 the spire was struck by lightning which damaged most of the gallery and nave.[3][4] It was rebuilt by J. L. Pearson in 1852/3.

The font dates from the 14th century and has faces carved on the corners.[4]

Monuments

The Harington monument

The church has 16th-18th-century monuments as well as armorial banners and funerary of the Noel family.[4][3]

in the north transept is a fine marble monument by Grinling Gibbons, dating from 1685, showing Baptist Noel, 3rd Viscount Campden, with his fourth wife, Elizabeth Bertie, and carvings of his 19 children.[5] In 1954, the tomb was the subject of a print by John Piper, later adapted as a textile design by David Whitehead Ltd.[6]

The south transept has the Keilway monument. This holds the effigies of Robert Keilway (1497 – 1581), along with his daughter Anne and her husband John Harington.[7][4]

On the north wall of the chancel there is a Jacobean wall monument. The oldest monument in the church stands on the north wall of the sanctuary, the tomb of Nicholas Grene dating from the 14th century.[2] The tomb of James Harington (c. 1511 – 1592) and Lucy Harington is nearby.[4]

Anne Chichester's monument

The tomb of Anne Chichester, wife of Thomas Bruce, 1st Earl of Elgin, is situated in the north aisle.[4]

Other monuments in the church include:

Popular culture

The church featured in the 1980 film Little Lord Fauntleroy as the parish church of Dorincourt.

References

  1. ^ "Cottesmore Benefice Churches - Exton". northrutlandchurches.org.uk. Archived from the original on 6 March 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b Historic England. "Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Exton and Horn (Grade I) (1177714)". National Heritage List for England.
  3. ^ a b "Exton Church Rutland St Peters and St Pauls | Leicestershire & Rutland Church Journal". www.leicestershirechurches.co.uk. 22 April 2012. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Exton Church, Rutland | History, Beautiful Photos & Visiting Information". Britain Express. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  5. ^ "TOMB OF VISCOUNT CAMPDEN AT EXTON CHURCH". World Monuments Fund. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  6. ^ "John Piper: the fabric of modernism". Pallant House Gallery. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Exton St Peter & St Paul". Explore Churches. Archived from the original on 4 July 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
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