Peper Harow, Surrey, England

St Nicholas, Peper Harow, Surrey, England

St. Nicholas Church

Founded in Norman times, very little remains of the original medieval building which was constructed in local sandstone rubble, with dressings of clunch, covered with Caen stone dressing. In 1826 a western tower of coursed stone was added, replacing a wooden bell-turret with shingled spire. There are still 3 bells, all dating from the 17th Century.

The interior of the church contains many monuments, tablets and inscriptions. Outside there is an ancient sundial and a terracotta figure overlooking a grave which is a relative of Churchill. The lychgate is somewhat unusual nowdays; it was used to rest the coffin before taking it into the church or churchyard.

Augustus Welby Pugin (1803-1953) changed the face of this small church. A convert to Catholicism, Pugin believed that Gothic was the true Christian architecture and in 1841 published ;True Principles of Pointed or Church Architecture'. His work at Allan Towers brought him to the attention of wealthy patrons and Lord Midleton commissioned him to decorate his estate in Surrey and Ireland.

Pugin commenced work at St. Nicholas in 1844. He departed from a pure Gothic style and set about creating a history of medieval English Church styles - the Norman chancel arch, the 'violent' Early English aisle/arcade and the decorated chancel. His additions include the north aisle, the Mortuary Chapel, the tower arch and the chancel windows. The door knob has engraved on it July 24 1877. The use of neo-Norman style is almost unique in Pugin's work.