Our Heritage

 

 

 

Christian worship has taken place on this town centre site since at least the time of the Norman Conquest.

 

The early Saxon building was most likely made of timber and wattle; only the lower brickwork on the east of the tower can now be seen as Saxon workmanship. The early Norman tower was added to the Saxon church and provided a bird’s eye view of the main thoroughfares of Mansfield at that time.

 

Early in the 12th century, a new stone nave and chancel were built-fragment of zigzag moulding still surviving in the outer wall of the chancel has been dated to around 1113. At the end of the century, Mansfield’s growing population meant more space was needed in the parish church and this was achieved by the addition of aisles. The westernmost pier of the north arcade still rises from the base of a Norman column and the outline of a Norman window can still be seen on the west wall.

 

Two chantry chapels were added around 1475 and battlements and clerestory in the late 15th or 16th century. A spire was added in 1699 and a clock in 1802. There is a peal of 8 bells of which the oldest dates from 1603. The earliest reference to an organ at St Peter’s was in 1794; the present organ was installed in 1972 and refurbished in 2000. The organ and the new Millenium window were dedicated by the Bishop of Southwell on New Year’s Eve 2000.

 

For more detailed information on the history of St Peter’s Church and its architecture, please contact us for a copy of the “Church Trail.”

 

There is also more historical information about the church, religion and the town of Mansfield available on the following websites:

 

Open Churches Trust  www.openchurchestrust.org.uk

 

Nottinghamshire Church Photographs  www.oldnotts.co.uk

 

Picture the Past www.picturethepast.org.uk

 

Old Mansfield Society www.old-mansfield.org.uk

 

Sister Cities Association of Mansfield  www.sistercities.co.uk

 

Mansfield District Council www.mansfield.gov.org

 

If you are interested in church history and architecture, there are other websites for you to visit:

 

Diocesan Church History Project  www.southwellchurches.nottingham.ac.uk

 

The Churches Conservation Trust www.visitchurches.org.uk

 

Historic Churches Preservation Trust  www.historicchurches.org.uk