Church of St Peter and St Paul

Church of St Peter and St Paul stands in Rothersthorpe, a village a short distance outside Northampton, and is the oldest surviving landmark of the settlement. It is a Grade II* listed parish church, which places it among the more significant historic buildings of the county.

What is the history of the church?

The village has medieval roots, and the church is the main visible trace of that period. Local heritage records place its foundation in the 13th century. Around 1300 the building was extended, and further alterations followed in the 15th century. After that, the church saw little repair for a long time, until a major campaign of work in the early 20th century, carried out in the years around 1910 to 1914. The listing describes the fabric as 13th and 14th century with later restoration.

What does the building look like?

The church has a traditional English plan. A west tower marks the entrance end, and a south porch leads inside. The nave is lit by a clerestory, the upper row of windows above the arcades, and is flanked by north and south aisles. At the east end sits the chancel, with a chapel on each side. Together these parts show how a modest medieval church grew by stages, with each century leaving its own mark.

What is worth seeing inside?

• Norman font. A font from the Norman period is one of the oldest objects in the church, older than most of the surrounding architecture.
• Polygonal pulpit. The pulpit is dated 1579 and has a multi-sided form typical of Elizabethan woodwork.
• 13th-century cross head. This is a rare survivor, linked to a possible medieval churchyard cross. It was found in 1869 and is now kept inside the church.
• Wartime memorial. A memorial placed by Sywell Aviation Museum remembers the crew of a Wellington bomber that crashed near the village. It consists of a propeller blade together with the flags of the crew members' nations.

Outside, the churchyard includes a listed chest tomb near the south chancel chapel.

Who looks after it today?

The church belongs to the Church of England, in the Diocese of Peterborough. Its parish registers go back to 1562, which makes them a useful source for anyone researching local family history.

Frequently asked questions

Is the church in Northampton itself? No. It is in the village of Rothersthorpe, just outside the town.

How old is it? The church was founded in the 13th century and extended around 1300, with later changes in the 15th century and a large restoration in the early 1900s.

Is it listed? Yes, it is a Grade II* listed building.

Who is it for? It suits visitors interested in medieval church architecture, local history and family history, as well as anyone curious about the wartime memorial.