Building Name

Church of St. Peter, High Street, Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire

Date
1878 - 1879
Street
High Street
District/Town
Shipton Bellinger, near Andover
County/Country
Hampshire, England
Work
Restoration and part rebuilding
Listed
Grade II
Contractor
Mr. Sturgess, of West Cholderton.

For new vestry/organ chamber, rebuilding of chancel, porch and part of west wall, with reseating and general repairs.

SHIPTON BELLINGER CHURCH, HANTS. At the end of the last century the fabric of this church having become dilapidated, it was treated in a very ruthless manner; the wall; of the nave were lowered about 3 feet, cutting off one-half of the tracery of the windows and the rood screen and many ancient features destroyed. Thus it was left until last year, when the chancel being in danger of falling, the then vicar, the Rev. W. C. Baker, inaugurated a movement for its repair and renovation. Sir John Kelk, Bart., the patron of the living, and others having provided the necessary funds, the work of restoration U now being carried on under the direction of Mr. Withers. The chancel is almost wholly rebuilt, the nave walls raised to their original height, the windows and stone rood-screen restored from fragments found in the walls, and the whole building newly roofed and refitted. Three fine old bells remain, and will be rehung. Painted glass by Mr Daniel Bell fill the east and west windows, being gifts of two former vicars respectively. The church is dedicated to St. Peter, and the annual village feast is still held on the 12th July, the morrow of St. Peter, old style. The cost of the work will be about £1,400, and the builder is Mr. Sturgess, of West Cholderton.  [Building News 21 March 1879 page 300 and illustration]

The parish church of Shipton Bellinger, Hants, has just been reopened, after restoration from the designs of Mr. E. J. Withers, of London, whose drawmgs of the church we published on March 21st last. The work has been carried out at a cost of £1560. [Building News 29 August 1879 page 269]

CHURCH WORK IN THE WEST - The parish church of Shipton Bellinger has just been re-opened after undergoing complete restoration. Some of the windows are good examples of fourteenth century work, and these, as also other features of architecture, have been carefully preserved. A new font, made in accordance with the fourteenth style, has been placed in the church. Instead of a tower there is a singular oaken spirelet with three beautiful old bells - two of them dating from pre-Reformation times. The restoration has been executed at a cost of £1,500, under the direction of Mr. Withers, architect, of London. [Church Times 22 August 1879 page 528]

Reference    ICBS 08296   
Reference    Building News 21 March 1879 page 300 and illustration
Reference    Building News 29 August 1879 page 269
Reference    Church Times 22 August 1879 page 528