Church of St Peter, Croft-on-Tees explained

Church of St Peter, Croft-on-Tees
Other Name:St Peter's Church
Pushpin Map:North Yorkshire
Map Caption:Location within North Yorkshire
Coordinates:54.4831°N -1.5556°W
Osgridref:NZ288098
Location:Croft-on-Tees, North Yorkshire
Country:England
Denomination:Church of England
Style:Decorated
Parish:Croft
Benefice:East Deere Street
Deanery:Richmond
Archdeaconry:Richmond and Craven
Diocese:Leeds
Vicar:Reverend Lynn Christine Thorius
Curate:The Venerable Simon Jefferies Golding
Embedded:
Embed:yes
Designation1:Grade I
Designation1 Date:18 March 1968

The Church of St Peter, Croft-on-Tees is a 12th century grade I listed parish church in the village of Croft-on-Tees in North Yorkshire, England. Artefacts and carvings inside the church are believed to have given rise to many of the characters created by Lewis Carroll, who as a child, attended St Peter's in the 1840s when his father was rector of the church.

The church also features in Simon Jenkins' book "England's Thousand Best Churches".

History

The church was first started in the 12th century and was added to in the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries with major renovations in the late 19th century. The bulk of the church is in the Decorated style with a later addition tower on the west side which is constructed of different stone to the rest of the church;[1] the exteriors walls of the church are constructed from red sandstone which is found in the Tees Valley,[2] though it has been re-inforced with brown sandstone. The nave and chancel together, measure from west to east. Whilst most of the architectural style of the building is described as Decorated, the clerestory, which was added in the 15th century, is noted for being in the Perpendicular style. Anglo-Saxon crosses are to be found in the chapel and the north door area. The site has been identified as being a location of Anglo-Saxon worship.

In 1680, the Milbanke family installed an elevated pew in the church (the Milbanke Pew) which is on the same level as the pulpit. It is reached via a "grand staircase" and is supported by Tuscan columns with fitted with red curtains.[3] Glynne describes the whole section of the pew and stairs leading up to it as being "ugly".

The church was grade I listed in 1968 and includes the Todd Tomb in the churchyard, which commemorates John Todd of nearby Halnaby Hall, which is grade II listed.

Simon Jenkins in his book, England's Thousand Best Churches, awards the church three stars out of five and describes it as being

Lewis Carroll

Between 1843 and 1868, Lewis Carroll's father was the rector at the church in Croft. The family arrived in the village when Carroll was just 11-years' old, and he stayed until he was 19 before he left for Oxford. Many items inside the church have been cited as inspiration for a varying number of characters from Carroll's work; the grinning cat on the sedilla is believed to have inspired the Cheshire Cat and the sword which John Conyers is supposed to have killed the Sockburn Worm with used to be in the church and is presented on the occasion of a new incumbent of the Bishop of Durham.[4] [5]

In 2018, the sedilla was renovated as part of an £160,000 extension of the church. At the same time, a carved stone Jabberwock, which was detailed as per an original drawing of the dragon in the 1871 version of "Alice Through the Looking-Glass", was added to the building.[6] The renovation, which includes Heritage Lottery Funding (HLF), will have a new visitors section with material created by pupils from Richmond School.[7]

Due to its connection with Lewis Carroll and Alice in Wonderland, the church attracts many visitors from overseas, notably Brazil, China and the United States.[8]

See also

References

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Genuki: CROFT ON TEES: Geographical and Historical information from the year 1890., Yorkshire (North Riding) . www.genuki.org.uk . 17 September 2018.
  2. Web site: Croft Conservation Area Study . richmondshire.gov.uk . 17 September 2018 . 6 . PDF.
  3. Book: Winn . Christopher . I never knew that about England's country churches . 2014 . Ebury Press . London . 978-1-78503-657-6 . 314 . 1.
  4. News: Lloyd . Chris . Lewis Carroll church seeks to raise £70,000 for heritage centre . 30 July 2018 . The Northern Echo . 3 November 2017.
  5. Book: Winn . Christopher . I Never Knew That About England's Country Churches . 2014 . Ebury Press . London . 978-1-78503-657-6 . 314 . 1.
  6. News: Richardson. Andy . Jabberwock carved into stone marks Carroll link . Darlington and Stockton Times . 30-2018 . 27 July 2018 . 2. 2516-5348.
  7. News: Richardson. Andy . Church is given £30k for centre. Darlington and Stockton Times . 7-2018 . 16 February 2018 . 2. 2516-5348.
  8. News: Wilkinson . Paul . Link with Lewis Carroll helps leaking church fund restoration . 17 September 2018 . Church Times . 10 November 2017.