St. Peter, Burnham, Buckinghamshire

Description

The parish church of St. Peter is a large edifice of flint with stone dressings, in the Norman, Early English and Decorated styles, consisting of chancel, nave of four bays, aisles, north transept, south porch and a tower at the east end of the south aisle, with oak shingled spire, and containing a clock and 8 bells, rehung in 1930: the south aisle retains a double piscina: the rood screen is a reproduction of an earlier one, some remains of which had been preserved: during repairs in 1939 an early 13th century tomb recess was discovered in the north transept: there are five stained windows; the reredos and the stained window in the transept were erected in 1864 by Anne, Lady Grenville, in memory of her husband, the Right Hon. William Wyndham Grenville, first and only Baron Grenville D.C.L., F.R.S., F.S.A. the distinguished statesman, who died 12 Jan. 1834, his sister and brother; there is also in the chancel a monument with demi-effigies, to George Evelyn, 1657, and his wife, 1661; another with emblematic figures by Bacon to the Hon. Mr, Justice Willes, d. 14 Jan. 1787; one to Bridget, wife of William Friend, 1721; a brass with effigies to Thomas Eyre, four sons and three daughters, dated 1581; another, with effigies to Gyles Eyre, c. 1500, and Elizabeth, his wife; one to Edmund Eyre, 1563 and five children; to Thomas Eyre, 1581, three wives and 7 children, and to William Aldriche and Gyles Eyre (no date): the whole fabric has been restored, and the interior reseated; and in 1891-2 the spire was renovated, 3 bells added, making the present total of 8, and other restorations effected: the exterior of the church was again restored in 1925: there are 500 sittings.

Church Records

The parish register dates from the year 1561