"In Saxon times it is understood that Barrowden was the centre of a "sub-minster". St Peter's,
Grade II*, built of limestone, lies at the end of a lane on the western edge of the village. It has a Romanesque South Doorway with 12th century ironwork on the door. The Nave, South Aisle, Chancel and Chancel North Aisle (now used as a Vestry) are 13th century; the North Arcade and North Aisle were rebuilt in 1875. The west Tower is 14th century with late 15th century broach spire, and has six regularly used bells. Seating in Nave and Aisles totals 170. The Chancel is long and vision of the Altar through the narrow Chancel Arch is restricted. There is a 13th century font, a monument of 1588, a 16th century bench end incorporated into 19th century prayer desk, remnants of the 1605 pulpit made into a bookcase containing 16th century books, six wooden mediaeval angels re-fixed to the renewed Chancel ceiling and a War Memorial altar in the South Aisle. Other fittings are 19th or 20th century. The mediaeval custom of Rush Spreading is kept for the Feast of St Peter and St Paul on 29th June. Heating is oil fired. The fabric is in generally good repair."
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"Barrowden Church is dedicated to St Peter. It is both the geographical and spiritual heart of Barrowden in Rutland, and is open every day to welcome villagers, visitors and tourists.
SERVICES are held at 8.00am on the FIRST Sunday of every month, all other Sunday services are at 11.00a.m. the second Sunday is a family service and the fourth Sunday has a creche. Of course we also have additional services on ‘high days and holidays’ including Mothering Sunday, Easter, Harvest, Remembrance and Christmas.
Whatever your faith background or tradition, you’re very welcome.
If you have any questions about Barrowden church, the Churchwardens are your first port of call: Kay Bagshaw 01572 748 797; Martin Beattie 01780 721659
Please see the up to date service list for current times and service description at wellandfosse.org
History of the Church
St Peter’s is very old, and has certainly changed, sometimes quite radically over the centuries Yet entries in the current visitors’ book constantly remark on its beauty and peacefulness and their happy memories. It seems as if past and present lose their boundaries and merge, and the prayers and faith over the centuries of countless villagers with cares and joys like our own, can resonate with us now.
“Barrowden” is the modern version of an Old English name ending with “dun”, indicating that between 400-700AD an Anglo-Saxon settlement was established here, under a hill which had ancient burial mounds. On the banks of the River Welland, with numerous springs, the situation would have been attractive for agriculture and dwellings. There already had been Roman activity nearby, and there were two Roman roads, one going north to south crossing the Welland where Turtle Bridge now stands,l. Barrowden became a major place within the dower lands of Mercian and English queens and there was an agreement with the Danish invaders whereby these lands would remain untouched by them. In 1086, Domesday Book records that “Berchedone” was an important manor belonging to the King, and there was a priest who looked after 25 freemen, 42 villagers and 26 smallholders
The earliest parts of St Peter’s that can be identified by style are the large iron C-scroll strap hinges on the originally single large entrance door. They date to around 1180. A list of the Rectors of Barrowden was put up in the 19th century, with historical notes concerning the Mauduit family who held the Manor of Barrowden from King Henry III and presented Walter de Rochomage to the Rectory of Barrowden in 1232. The panel also states that the first recorded institution to the Parish was by Hugh Wells, Bishop of Lincoln; this Bishop and the Mauduits had been in conflict with King John.
In 1333 land was given to “maintain a chaplain at the altar of the Blessed Virgin to sing mass there forever” for souls, the gift of land has remained, with monies from its rent helping church upkeep to the present day, and rushes or hay from the fields or their successors are still brought to the church and laid on the floors of nave and porch for the Feast of St Peter at the end of June.
Outside, the lead was removed and replaced with blue Welsh slates, doubtless brought by the busy railway across Eight Arches bridge to Barrowden and Wakerley station, opened in 1859. . It was not until the 19th and 20th centuries that some lay people’s attitudes to change were recorded, as the Victorian Churchwardens’ printed notes concerning the inappropriate newness of blue Welsh roof slates and the awkwardness of iron churchyard gates in relation to cows.
The most noticeable addition to the church in the 20th century has been the creation of the First World War memorial in the south aisle. St Peter’s has also given sanctuary to items from local Chapels after they closed, including furniture from Wing Methodist and Morcott Baptist and also memorial tablets from Barrowden Baptist after its closure in 2003. One of these tablets, for Private Harry Hopkins, who attended Sunday School at Barrowden Baptist Chapel and shortly afterwards lost his life in the Great War, has been set in the south nave wall next to the War Memorial.
Visitors asked for their quick first impressions of the church often comment on how light it is; some are first taken aback by rushes being on the floor at Petertide, then return years later to try to recall the smell they found they loved. Visitors’ Books carry comments by ex-villagers who return and write of happy memories and tell of relatives and friends buried here. People arrive from all over the world and write their thanks that the church was open when they came, of the care given to the building and their enjoyment of its setting.
Services
There is a service every Sunday at St. Peters. 8.00a.m on the first Sunday of the month.
All other Sundays the service is at 11.00a.m."
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