St Peter's, Empingham
© Ken Ince (view gallery)
This is a glorious area, and the church of St Peter dominates the landscape. The church is set on high ground in the centre of the town. The church was mainly built in the 13th century, with the elegant perpundicular tower and broache spire being added in the 14th century.
Alteration were undertaken here in the 15th century, at which time the roof was raised and clerastory windows replaced by larger ones. An extensive restoration took place in the 1890's.
Under an arch in the north transept there is a tomb with a carved cross on it. It is thought that this might be the final resting place of Stephen Of Sutton who ordered that he be buried in the church in 1280. There are a few wall paintings in evidence here, including one of the Virgin Mary in the south transept. There is also a repeated five leaf floral like pattern painted on to the walls in the south transept, very similar to that seen at nearby Great Casterton.
Looking up, there are carved figures of angels set in to the roof. Stained glass in the south aisle includes a representation of Simeon holding the infant Jesus, pictured below. The font is modern, Victorian by the looks of it, and no doubt dating from one of the restoration periods. The interior of this church was a delight, particularly attractive as the sun blazed in through the south windows. Image cannot be loaded
A Slideshow of Empingham, in the county of Rutland
