SS. Peter and Paul, Bassingbourne, Cambridgeshire

Description

The church of SS. Peter and Paul, erected in the 14th century, is a building of stone and flint, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, south porch of the 15th century and an embattled western tower containing a clock and 5 bells cast by Miles Graye in 1650: in the church are monuments to the Nightingale and Turpin families, including two to Jeffrey Nightingale, ob. 1664, and to Edw. Nightingale, ob. 1723: the edifice was restored in 1865, at a cost of about £2,000, to which sum the Dean and Chapter of Westminster contributed £300: the tower arch has been opened, a vestry formed in the tower and fitted up for the reception of the library of rare theological works partly bequeathed to this parish in 1717 by Sir Edward Nightingale, a former owner of Kneesworth, to which additions have been made by different vicars: the east window is a memorial to the Rev. Freeman Heathcote Bishop M.A. vicar from 1861, and his two daughters, and was presented by his widow and three sons: there are 600 sittings.

Church Records

The register dates from the year 1558, and the churchwardens' accounts from 1498.