Church of St. Peter, Pitton
It is thought that St. Peter's dates from the 12th or 13th centuries and is probably older than Salisbury Cathedral. It is a Grade II * listed building.
The oldest part of the church is the south doorway and the lower section of the tower. The west window is also thought to be very old. This window is probably Norman, giving an indication of the church's age. The font is also perhaps Norman. The church it is built of flint and brick. The church building sits low in the ground; to enter the porch you have to walk down a flight of steps.
There is an indication of one of the well known Pitton families within the church; a small brass found in the north wall shows the death of Edward Zouche in 1880. This family was originally from Ashby-de-la-Zouche in Leicestershire. The Zouche family were landowners in the 16th and 17th centuries.
At the end of the 19th century a curate lived at Church House, situated next door to the church.
The oldest part of the church is the south doorway and the lower section of the tower. The west window is also thought to be very old. This window is probably Norman, giving an indication of the church's age. The font is also perhaps Norman. The church it is built of flint and brick. The church building sits low in the ground; to enter the porch you have to walk down a flight of steps.
There is an indication of one of the well known Pitton families within the church; a small brass found in the north wall shows the death of Edward Zouche in 1880. This family was originally from Ashby-de-la-Zouche in Leicestershire. The Zouche family were landowners in the 16th and 17th centuries.
At the end of the 19th century a curate lived at Church House, situated next door to the church.
Between the years of 1888 and 1890 there was refurbishment in the church after parts of the church had fallen into disrepair. The north tower and vestry were added and the bell tower was extended. The galleries were removed, after being installed in 1797. The interior of the church was refurnished and a weather cock, originally made in 1801, was put on the new tower. The church was reopened on 3 July 1880 by the Bishop of Salisbury. All this work was funded in part by parishioners and in part by the Earl of Ilchester and Sir Frederick Bathurst of Clarendon. It cost around £1,500. There is a stained glass window in memory of Sir Frederick's daughter, Catherine.
It is estimated that there are around six thousand people buried in the churchyard, although there are not many gravestones which are legible before the 19th century. This number may account for the fact that the churchyard is much higher than the ground on which the church is built.
Electric heating was installed in 1954. The parish registers from the 1660s to 1839 are together as Pitton & Farley; from 1837 (marriages) and 1840 (baptisms and burials) they come under Pitton. All registers, other than those in current use, are held at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre.
It is estimated that there are around six thousand people buried in the churchyard, although there are not many gravestones which are legible before the 19th century. This number may account for the fact that the churchyard is much higher than the ground on which the church is built.
Electric heating was installed in 1954. The parish registers from the 1660s to 1839 are together as Pitton & Farley; from 1837 (marriages) and 1840 (baptisms and burials) they come under Pitton. All registers, other than those in current use, are held at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre.