Church of St. Peter, Stourton
Parts of the church of St. Peter date from the early 1300s, but it has been restored and altered throughout the centuries. The earliest documentary evidence for a church on this site is in 1291 when Ralph de Sturton held the right of presentation of the living. The arcading in the north of the nave dates from this time, and it is possible that the tower was built then.
Sir John Stourton was created Lord Stourton in 1448. The Stourtons were all patrons of the church and were buried in a family vault which is in the present north aisle. In 1553 the churchwardens presented that the nave of the church was in decay. It is not known what building work was carried out to correct this.
The Hoare family bought the estate in 1717 and by 1720 Henry Hoare had applied for a faculty to improve the church. The work was carried out during 1722-3. The screen and rood loft were removed, a new altar erected and an altar piece built to cover the whole east wall. The pulpit was moved from the north aisle to its present position. Lastly, the chancel was newly paved and a family vault was built.
The next alterations took place in 1848 when the south aisle was added to provide more seating. The Hoare family pew was also created at this time.
Sir John Stourton was created Lord Stourton in 1448. The Stourtons were all patrons of the church and were buried in a family vault which is in the present north aisle. In 1553 the churchwardens presented that the nave of the church was in decay. It is not known what building work was carried out to correct this.
The Hoare family bought the estate in 1717 and by 1720 Henry Hoare had applied for a faculty to improve the church. The work was carried out during 1722-3. The screen and rood loft were removed, a new altar erected and an altar piece built to cover the whole east wall. The pulpit was moved from the north aisle to its present position. Lastly, the chancel was newly paved and a family vault was built.
The next alterations took place in 1848 when the south aisle was added to provide more seating. The Hoare family pew was also created at this time.
Further restoration took place in 1878. A new east window with stained glass was built. Three large Hoare family monuments were moved from the chancel to the south aisle. A new oak roof, tiled, was built over the chancel. The gallery at the west end was removed and the tower arch was opened out and restored. An oak screen was built between the tower and the nave. An organ chamber and vestry room were added on to the south side of the chancel. The floor was re-tiled, new nave furnishings provided, an oak lectern and a new stone font with an oak cover. The entire cost of the work was £1,000. In 1880 the project was completed when the whole church was decorated.
Alterations continued into the 20th century when improvements to the chancel and sanctuary were undertaken by Sir Henry and Lady Hoare to commemorate their Golden Wedding in 1937. The work included removing the wooden reredos and altar; the provision of a new altar comprising a single stone slab on wooden legs, so that it could be removed at any time; a figure of Christ to replace the reredos and east window; a new altar cross, candlesticks and altar rail.
More recently, the old box pews were removed from the north aisle and in 1974 the east end of the north aisle was made into a baptistry. The present font replaced the Victorian font and is late Norman. It came from the now redundant church at Monkton Deverill.
Alterations continued into the 20th century when improvements to the chancel and sanctuary were undertaken by Sir Henry and Lady Hoare to commemorate their Golden Wedding in 1937. The work included removing the wooden reredos and altar; the provision of a new altar comprising a single stone slab on wooden legs, so that it could be removed at any time; a figure of Christ to replace the reredos and east window; a new altar cross, candlesticks and altar rail.
More recently, the old box pews were removed from the north aisle and in 1974 the east end of the north aisle was made into a baptistry. The present font replaced the Victorian font and is late Norman. It came from the now redundant church at Monkton Deverill.
Every three years the Bishop of Salisbury visited his parishes and by the mid 18th century there was an established practice of sending out questionnaires to be completed first. The answers to these questions give a glimpse of life in an 18th century Wiltshire parish. In Stourton in 1783 there were two services held each Sunday at 10.00 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. Holy Communion was administered five times a year. There were 100 Catholics living in the parish; they were in the care of a Catholic priest living at Bonham House. Non-conformity has never established itself in Stourton. The bishop’s Visitation return for 1783 notes a Catholic school run by a woman.
In 1820 a new parsonage house was built at the joint expense of Sir Richard Colt Hoare and the rector, William Partridge. The house was built of stone, faced with brick and covered with blue slate, measuring 66 feet 6 inches by 40 feet. The rooms comprised a library, drawing room, dining room, housekeeper’s room, kitchen, pantry, back kitchen, brew house, coalhouse and woodhouse. On the upper floor there were eight bedrooms and dressing rooms. Two water closets were attached to the house outside. The furniture and the books in the library belonged to the rectory and were to descend from the present rector to his successors. In 1851 the Rev. John Drake (aged 70) was the incumbent, living there with his daughter Lucy. They were looked after by six servants, a footman, page, lady’s maid, cook, housemaid and kitchen maid. This was a comfortable living provided by a generous patron.
At a Visitation held in 1864 there were still two services held each Sunday, at 11.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. The population of Stourton was 660 and the church could hold about 280. Between 90 and 100 people were Catholic. The vicar was unable to give an average number of parishioners attending, as the figure varied from week to week. A few families lived some distance from the church.
At a Visitation held in 1864 there were still two services held each Sunday, at 11.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. The population of Stourton was 660 and the church could hold about 280. Between 90 and 100 people were Catholic. The vicar was unable to give an average number of parishioners attending, as the figure varied from week to week. A few families lived some distance from the church.
Stourton St. Peter remained as a parish on its own until c.1950, when Stourton and Kilmington joined together. By 1964 Stourton and Zeals were in the care of one vicar, joined by Bourton c.1971. In 1973 the parish was given the new name of Upper Stour. In 1984 Kilmington re-joined this group of parishes.
The parish registers dating from 1572 and, apart from those currently in use, can be viewed at The Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre.
The parish registers dating from 1572 and, apart from those currently in use, can be viewed at The Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre.