Welford on Avon - St Peter
St Peter's is a fine old church, situated in the attractive village of Welford on Avon, secluded down a narrow lane, hidden away from the main road. It's honey coloured stonework betrays it's closeness to the Gloucestershire border, and like several of the village churches south west of Stratford it is actually part of the Gloucester diocese, a reminder of the fluctuating nature of some county borders over the centuries.
The church dates back to the 12th century, though most of the exterior is the result of alterations and enlargements over the following centuries, the tall west tower being a good illustration of this with its late15th century extra top storey added some two centuries later to what would have otherwise been considered a complete structure (but obviously not tall and impressive enough for the following generation). The church's antiquity is still however quite apparent in the Norman doorway in the south porch and the interior beyond.
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The interior of the building is quite unusually proportioned, with very low and wide late Norman arches, two on each side spanning the entire length of the nave from a single column (the capitals are carved with a scalloped design). The aisles are extremely narrow, mere passages flanking the main vessel, whilst the chancel beyond is of equal length. The light level is somewhat subdued, particularly in the nave.
Stained Glass
There are small fragments of medieval glass in the chancel, some rosettes in grisaille within the tiny traceries on the north side, whilst to the south the main lights have border elements and larger pieces of canopy-work (old glass again in the traceries too), all of mid-14th century date and probably originating from the east window (one piece is clearly from the head of a cusped light, of a shape only the east window matches).
The most impressive feature here however is the east window by Geoffrey Webb, a beautiful Comper-esque composition dating from 1924, showing Christ standing at the centre of a tree whose branches reach out and enfold smaller figures of saints in the manner of a medieval Jesse Tree. At the bottom are included two almost photographic portraits of the commemoratees. The whole is a delightful blend of blue, white, and gold and makes a refreshing change from the more harshly coloured Victorian windows one is usually accustomed to finding in the focal position.
The only other stained glass is found in the remaining chancel window on the south side, with Christ's call to St Peter ('Feed my Sheep') by the prolific studio of Mayer of Munich. Whilst it is well executed technically, the painting and colouring do not compare well with Webb's lighter work, and seem rather oppressive by contrast.
The most impressive feature here however is the east window by Geoffrey Webb, a beautiful Comper-esque composition dating from 1924, showing Christ standing at the centre of a tree whose branches reach out and enfold smaller figures of saints in the manner of a medieval Jesse Tree. At the bottom are included two almost photographic portraits of the commemoratees. The whole is a delightful blend of blue, white, and gold and makes a refreshing change from the more harshly coloured Victorian windows one is usually accustomed to finding in the focal position.
The only other stained glass is found in the remaining chancel window on the south side, with Christ's call to St Peter ('Feed my Sheep') by the prolific studio of Mayer of Munich. Whilst it is well executed technically, the painting and colouring do not compare well with Webb's lighter work, and seem rather oppressive by contrast.
Furnishings & Monuments
There only remains one fragmentary medieval memorial, the sorry empty slab on the nave floor that once held the brass of a solitary figure. It has been partially cut down and reset in the paving with the two halves slightly out of alignment, though the inscription around the perimeter is still complete.
The font is probably late Norman or just after 1200, with a plain bowl set on four sturdy colonnettes around a central stem. The pulpit appears to be largely early 17th century woodwork but also quite plain, and much more so is the parish chest at the end of the south aisle, a simple box which is probably of a similar date.
The chancel screen is quite ornately carved, a fine quality piece, probably of late 19th or early 20th century date.
Beyond the simpler organ case dominates the north side of the chancel.
The font is probably late Norman or just after 1200, with a plain bowl set on four sturdy colonnettes around a central stem. The pulpit appears to be largely early 17th century woodwork but also quite plain, and much more so is the parish chest at the end of the south aisle, a simple box which is probably of a similar date.
The chancel screen is quite ornately carved, a fine quality piece, probably of late 19th or early 20th century date.
Beyond the simpler organ case dominates the north side of the chancel.
St Peter's hasn't got a lot to delay the visitor beyond it's Norman features and some attractive glass, but is worth seeing and happily normally appears to be open and welcoming to visitors.
Aidan McRae Thomson 2014
Aidan McRae Thomson 2014