SS. Peter and Paul, Yattendon, Berkshire

Description

The church of SS. Peter and Paul is a building of stone, in the Perpendicular style, consisting of chancel, nave, south porch and a western tower oontaining a clock with chimes, and 6 bells rehung in 1881, at a cost of £187: it was rebuilt about 1450 by John Norreys esq. as recorded in an inscription formerly in a window in the church and preserved by Ashmore: the nave windows are Perpendicular: the pulpit is Jacobean, and there is a curious stair, formerly leading to the rood loft; in the church is a monument to Sir John Norreys kt. second son of Henry, first Lord Norreys of Rycot, ambassador to France and a distinguished military commander in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, who died at Yattendon, July 3, 1597; here also is buried, in a vault on the north side of the chancel, the Rev. Thomas Carte M.A. the distinguished historian, who wrote the greater part of his "History of England" here and died at Caldecot, near Abingdon, April 2, 1754: in 1858 the tower and fabric generally were renovated chiefly at the expense of the Howard family, formerly owners of Yattendon, and who had previously presented an organ and a stained east window: in 1881 a vestry was added, and further restorations effected, the amount spent being about £798: a new organ was presented at a cost of £340: in 1896 the church was new-roofed, the tower strengthened and a spire erected: the entire restoration of 1881 and the subsequent additions and repairs up to 1905 were carried out under the direction and at the cost of the late Alfred Waterhouse esq. B.A., LL.D. to whom there is a monumental tablet on the north wall, and in whose memory the choir stalls were re-constructed: there are memorial windows to the Rev. John Flory Howard, to the Rev. Francis Llewelyn Lloyd and to the Hon. Lady Gull: there are 150 sittings.

Church Records

The register dates from the year 1558.