Church Heritage Record 628071

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Core DetailsLocationBuildingInteriorChurchyardSignificanceEnvironmentForumAudit

Watford: St Peter & St Paul

Name:

This is the church’s legal name as given by the Church Commissioners.

Watford: St Peter & St Paul
Record Type:

A classification of the current status of the building

Church
Church code:

This is a unique identification number supplied to each church building by the Church Commissioners.

628071
Diocese:

Name of diocese in which the church building is located at the time of entry.

Peterborough
Archdeaconry:

Name of archdeaconry in which the church building is located at the time of entry

Northampton
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

Watford

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Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

The decision to put a church building on the National Heritage List for England and assign it a listing grade is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is normally based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on the historic environment.

This is a Grade I Listed Building
View more information about this Listed Building on the National Heritage List for England web site
Scheduled Monument?

The decision to schedule a feature (building, monument, archaeological remains, etc.) located within the church building’s precinct or churchyard is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on cultural heritage.

There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

National Parks are areas of countryside that include villages and towns, which are protected because of their beautiful countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage. In England, National Parks are designated by Natural England, the government’s advisor on the natural environment.

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

Conservation areas are places of special architectural or historic interest where it is desirable to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of such areas. Conservation Areas are designated by the Local Council.

The church is not in a Conservation Area

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Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?

The Heritage at Risk programme is run and managed by Historic England, the government’s advisor on cultural heritage. It aims to protect and manage the historic environment, so that the number of ‘at risk’ historic places and sites across England are reduced.

This church is on the Heritage at Risk Register (data verified 14 Nov 2024)
View more information about this church on the Heritage at Risk website
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Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

Selecting a single date for the construction of a church building can sometimes be very difficult as most CoE buildings have seen many phases of development over time. The CHR allows you to record a time period rather than a specific date.

The CHR records the time period for the building’s predominant fabric as opposed to the date of the earliest fabric or the church’s foundation date.

Medieval

Exterior Image

Exterior image of 628071 Watford St Peter & St Paul
Caption:

603242 

Exterior image of 628071 Watford St Peter & St Paul
Description:

It seems to be the wrong photograph. Provided coordinates come up with another church on geograph.org.uk

Photograph of the south elevation as seen from the south-east.
Year / Date:

2011, April 06

April 2016
Copyright:

Keltek Trust

Archbishops' Council
Originator:

Keltek Trust

Joseph Elders

Summary Description

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Medieval church perhaps built shortly after 1300, with a rebuild in the 15th century and further work in the 18th century. The church was restored and re-ordered around 1850. There are marked graves going back to the early 18th century. The village is recorded in Domesday Book.

Visiting and Facilities

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The church is open for worship.
Work in progress - can you help?
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Church Website

Church Website:

www.holytrinitylyonsdown.org.uk

https://www.stlawrences.org.uk/

Sources and Further Information

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Joseph Elders (April 2016) Exterior image of 628071 Watford St Peter & St Paul [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Exterior image of 628071 Watford St Peter & St Paul
Joseph Elders (April 2016) Interior image of 628071 Watford St Peter & St Paul [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Interior image of 628071 Watford St Peter & St Paul
CWGC (2016) Commonwealth War Graves Commission CWGC Unique File Reference Number: 4992 [Bibliography/Data]
Number of War Graves: 1
Church of England (2021) A Church Near You https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/16433/ [Digital Archive/Index]
View information on worship and access at this church
Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 6 Bells [Archive/Index]
6 Bells

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: SP 603 690

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Administrative Area

County:

The administrative area within which the church is located.

Northamptonshire County

Location and Setting

This field describes the setting of the church building, i.e. the surroundings in which the church building is experienced, and whether or not it makes a positive or negative contribution to the significance of the building.

Set in gently rolling Northamptonshire countryside, sliced through by the M1 just to the west of the village. Less than 1 mile from Watford Gap service station, but one is not reminded of this at the church, which is peaceful. The church is surrounded on all sides by fine houses with large gardens behind high walls. The main part of the village is to the north.

Drystone churchyard wall pierced by elaborate wrought iron gates with overthrow and lamp, one on the east side from the village. There is a light to this entrance gate which comes on automatically at dusk that assists village pedestrians and churchgoers alike. There are grave markers from the early 18th century. Several mature yew trees and other deciduous species.

Vehicular access to the church building is via a narrow lane along the east side. Parking is only possible along this lane.

Church Plan

Work in progress - can you help?

Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

Provide as written description of the ground plan of the church building and well as its dimensions.

Aisled nave and chancel, south and north porch, north chapel, west tower.

Dimensions

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

Nave 16x9m, chancel 8m long.

Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

Small (<199m2)

Medium (200-599m2)

Large (600m-999m2)

Very Large (>1000m2)

504 m2

Description of Archaeology and History

This field aims to record the archaeological potential of the wider area around the building and churchyard, as well as the history of site.

Medieval site with burials since the 13th century, marked graves from the 18th. Burials from the Medieval and Post-Medieval periods and foundations and other features related to the church can be expected on this site.

Watford is mentioned in the Domesday book of 1086. There are a number of earthworks and deserted medieval settlement traces in the area surrounding the church. A large Elizabethan House nearby was pulled down in the 1970s.

Exterior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the exterior of the church building and the churchyard.

The church is a fine example of an Ironstone Medieval village church of the period, basically early 14th-century and Early English visible inside, and Perpendicular of the late 15th-century in style, visible outside. The fine Perpendicular west tower gives vertical emphasis and has castellated parapet and gargoyle waterspouts. Traceried 2-light bell openings, and 4-light west window with panel tracery.

Perpendicular clerestory of 2-light windows. Aisled nave with 3-light east window to south aisle, c.1300 with intersecting tracery. Two similar 3-light windows in the south wall to east of porch and two pairs of lancets to west of porch. Flat arched Perpendicular window without tracery in west wall of south aisle and straight headed doorway of same date below. 14th-century west window without tracery to north aisle. Early 14th-century three-light window with reticulated tracery to west of north porch, and two similar windows to east. Fine 5-light window with geometrical tracery (damaged and partly renewed) in east wall of north chapel.

The north porch, unused, is mid-18th-century with pedimented gable and arched doorway with key block. 14th-century south porch with moulded outer arch with headstops, the main entrance.

Perpendicular chancel incorporating early 14th century work. 4-light east window with 4-centred arch and panel tracery. Three similar 3-light windows on the south wall. Priest's doorway of c.1300 has chamfered arch.

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Who:
Stimpson Walton
Role:
Architect / Surveyor ICM55
From:
To:
Contribution:

Building Fabric and Features

This field is an index of the building and its major components

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Collapse Building Fabric and FeaturesBuilding Fabric and Features
CHANCEL (14th century)
CHAPEL (COMPONENT) (14th century)
NAVE (14th century)
PORCH (18th century)
TOWER (COMPONENT) (14th century)

Building Materials

This field is an index of the building’s material composition

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Collapse Building MaterialsBuilding Materials
LEAD (19th century)
SANDSTONE (14th century)
STONE (14th century)
WOOD (14th century)

Interior Image

Interior image of 628071 Watford St Peter & St Paul
Caption:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Interior image of 628071 Watford St Peter & St Paul
Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Photograph of the inside of the church, looking east.
Year / Date:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
April 2016
Copyright:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Archbishops' Council
Originator:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Joseph Elders

Interior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the interior of the church building.

Entry is via the 14th-century south porch, inner doorway of same date has hollowchamfered arch, the jambs rebuilt, and double ribbed plank door. Within, whitewashed walls with signs of damp particularly at west end. In the nave fixed box pews stand on raised wooden platforms. 3 bay nave arcades, c.1300, with octagonal piers, double chamfered arches, and hoods with large head stops.

The chancel has a Perpendicular sedilia and piscina with cinquefoiled arches. Early 14th-century tomb recess in the north wall has arch with deep hollow mouldings and short jamb shafts with leaf capitals. 14th-century double-chamfered arch to west (blocked) former opening to north chapel.

Very fine long north chapel, now converted to vestry, with panelled opening to east end of north aisle blocked and 19th-century doorway inserted. Three further ornate tomb recesses along the north wall with headstops to the arches. A splendid room.

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

This field is an index of the building’s internal, architectural components. This includes its internal spaces and those areas’ fixtures and fittings (building components which are securely fixed to the church or cathedral).

Skip Navigation Links.
Collapse Internal Fixtures and FittingsInternal Fixtures and Fittings
ALTAR (19th century)
BELL (1 of 6)
BELL (2 of 6)
BELL (3 of 6)
BELL (4 of 6)
BELL (5 of 6)
BELL (6 of 6)
FONT (COMPONENT) (19th century)
INSCRIBED OBJECT (17th century)
LECTERN (19th century)
ORGAN (COMPONENT) (19th century)
PEW (COMPONENT) (19th century)
PULPIT (19th century)
RAIL (19th century)
REREDOS (19th century)
STALL (19th century)

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

This field is an index of the building’s movable, non-fixed furnishings and artworks.

Work in progress - can you help?

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: SP 603 690

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Ecology

This field aims to record a description of the ecology of the churchyard and surrounding setting.

Work in progress - can you help?

Ecological Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this Church.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this Church.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Church.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

This field aims to record any evidence of the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

The church has evidence of bats

Burial and War Grave Information

This field records basic information about the presence of a churchyard and its use as a burial ground.

The church/building is consecrated.
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The churchyard has been used for burial.
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The churchyard is not used for burial.
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The churchyard is closed for burial.
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The date of the burial closure order is unknown. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The churchyard has war graves.

National Heritage List for England Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this Church.

Designation TypeNameGrade  
Listed Building Wall Bordering South And Part Of West Side Of Churchyard As Far As South West Corner Of Tower Of Church Of St Peter And St Paul II View more

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

There are currently no Ancient, Veteran or Notable trees connected to this Church

Churchyard Structures

This field is an index of the churchyard’s components.

Work in progress - can you help?

Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Significance is the whole set of reasons why people value a church, whether as a place for worship and mission, as an historic building that is part of the national heritage, as a focus for the local community, as a familiar landmark or for any other reasons.

Moderate
Setting Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The church has a positive landscape presence in a Conservation area. The site is of moderate-high archaeological significance.
Fabric Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Fabric Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Interior Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Moderate
Interior Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The church has a good internal volume, with historic fittings which are of moderate or high significance.
Community Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Community Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?

Church Renewables

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Open the map of church renewable installations
Solar PV Panels:

This information forms part of the Shrinking the Footprint project.

No
Solar Thermal Panels:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Bio Mass:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Air Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Ground Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Wind Turbine:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
EV Car Charging:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown

Species Summary

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Church . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

CategoryTotal species recorded to date
TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES RECORDED 1
Total number of animal species 0
Total number of plant species 1
Total number of mammal species 0
Total number of birds 0
Total number of amphibian and reptile species 0
Total number of invertebrate species 0
Total number of fungi species 0
Total number of mosses and liverworts (bryophytes) 0
Total number of ferns 0
Total number of flowering plants 1
Total number of Gymnosperm and Ginkgo 0

Caring for God’s Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all of the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.

‘Seek Advice’ Species

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

If any of the following species have been seen close to the Church, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the Church, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the Church. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the Church and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

The church was the centre of many people’s lives and remains a guide to their cares and concerns. Glimpses into those lives have often come down to us in the stories we heard as children or old photographs discovered in tattered shoe boxes. Perhaps your ancestors even made it into local legend following some fantastic event? You can choose to share those memories with others and record them for future generations on this Forum.

Tell us the story of this building through the lives of those who experienced it. Tell us why this church is important to you and your community.

Upload your photographs, share your videos, or compose your story below using a Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus account.

Refresh
WhoActionWhen
Anna CampenModified asset source linkWed 26 Jul 2017 09:22:49
Anna CampenModified asset data - Modified the Archaeology and History DescriptionTue 25 Jul 2017 13:04:57
Anna CampenModified asset data - Modified the Location and Setting DescriptionTue 25 Jul 2017 13:03:27
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeTue 25 Jul 2017 13:00:14
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeTue 25 Jul 2017 12:59:42
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeTue 25 Jul 2017 12:59:04
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeTue 25 Jul 2017 12:58:30
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeTue 25 Jul 2017 12:58:10
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeTue 25 Jul 2017 12:57:39
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeTue 25 Jul 2017 12:57:13
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