SS. Peter and Paul, Ellesborough, Buckinghamshire

Description

The parish church of SS. Peter and Paul, restored in 1854 and 1871, is an ancient embattled structure in the Late Decorated and Perpendicular styles, situated on a hill close to the ancient Icknield way, and consists of chancel, nave of four bays, south aisle, south porch and a lofty embattled western tower, with octagonal stair turret at the south-east angle, containing 6 bells: there is a piscina in the south wall of the chancel, also stained windows north and south of the chancel and memorial windows in the nave to the Lovett family: in the south aisle, within a recess, is a marble tomb in the Italian style of the 17th century, with a recumbent figure, to the memory of Brigetta, wife of Sir H. Croke, d. 1638: on the south wall are brasses, with effigies, to Thomas Hawtrey, d. 1544, and Sybell, his wife, 11 sons and 7 daughters: a shield belonging to this brass is palimpsest: the font is of the Decorated period, and is lined with lead: there is a richly-carved oak pulpit and lectern: the chancel was rebuilt in 1871 at the cost of Mrs. Frankland-Russell Astley in memory of her husband, and her sons in 1901 caused an elaborate reredos and an east window of stained glass to be erected as a memorial to their mother: there are 230 sittings.

Church Records

The parish register dates from the year 1659.