Description

SP 84 NW GAYHURST GAYHURST COURT

Church of St. Peter

4/50

17.11.66

GV I

Parish church, built 1728 for George Wright. Limestone,grey rusticated
plinth, yellow ashlar above. Lead roofs. Chancel, nave and W. tower.
Tower of 2 stages, divided by moulded string at level of nave eaves
cornice; rusticated corner pilasters below, plain pilasters above,
2-light gothick belfry windows with keyblocks and string at springer
level, moulded coping with weathered lead blocking course and vases
at each corner, arcaded cupola with ogee lead dome and wrought iron
weather vane. W. front of lower stage has semicircular arched doorway
with rusticated voussoir surround, keyblock and 2 light gothick window
over. On the S. side a large semicircular headed niche with keyblock,
impost band carried round tower at cill level of window. Nave south
front of 5 bays, rusticated base and outer pilasters,modillion cornice
centre bay flanked by engaged fluted Ionic columns supporting projecting
section of entablature and pediment. 2 flanking bays each separated by
fluted Ionic pilaster. Columns and pilasters all on projecting
rusticated plinths. Central 18 panelled door with radiating fanlight
head with carved centre in arched opening with architrave, framed by
rectangular shouldered architrave above which is a cornice and semi-
circular pediment. Each bay has a rectangular panel at high level. 4
semicircular headed windows in architrave surrounds with key and impost
blocks, moulded cills with aprons below. Corner pilasters return on
E. and N. walls, on the W. the pediment is interrupted by the tower, on
the E. end is a complete pediment. Chancel lower and narrower than nave
with similar details. One arched window to side walls, arched niche and pediment
to E. wall. Interior ashlar stone above panelled dado, plaster ceilings.
Nave walls of 5 bays with Corinthian pilasters supporting entablature
with enriched cornice and frieze with alternating open books and mitres
over pilasters. Windowleaded with radiating heads, deeply recessed with
architraves and moulded panels over. W. wall has wide tower arch
(containing organ) semicircular head with panelled soffit architrave,
impost and keyblocks. Entablature broken above arch, ends- supported on
large carved brackets flanking carved and painted Weight arms. Flanking
walls are panelled. The E end of the nave is similar. On left of
chancel arch original pulpit on wine-glass base with, sounding board with
elaborate carved cornice and in-laid soffit. Above the arch carved and
painted arms of George I. Plaster ceiling of nave has central oval and
surrounding panels all with, enriched mouldings. Panelled pews; "Chancel ,
has panelled dado, rei'edos, with fluted Corinthian outer pilasters, pairs
of columns flanking centre supporting broken entablature and open
segmental pediment with blocking course carrying urn shaped candles-ticks.
Alter rails and steps semicircular on plan, the floor of the sanctuary
paved with black and white marble, the wrought iron railings- have
scroll panels and gates. The coved plaster ceiling is panelled with
oval centre and enriched surrounding moulding the cove decorated with
elaborate floral plaster work. A small portable font stands in the
chancel arch. Monument On right of chancel arch in nave the monument
erected 1728 to George Wright, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal and his
father Sir Nathan Wright. With 2 lifesize figures on plinth between
Corinthian pilasters supporting a segmental pediment. Above and behind
them carved drapery.

RCHM II p. 116 Mon 1.

Listing NGR: SP8465446255

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17533733

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides): Written by Charles O'Brien, 2014 Edition, Publisher: Yale University Press [Hardcover]
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
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  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)