Relhan Collection : 63 Boxworth. N view of church

Relhan, Richard, 1782-1844

Relhan Collection

<p style='text-align: justify;'><p>St Peter’s church is small, has Norman origins and lies within deserted medieval remains. Relhan’s drawing is taken from the path leading from the Rectory. Was the church with the exception of the tower once limewashed? It was substantially rebuilt in C14, as were the chancel, roofs and S vestry in 1640. The tower collapsed 1810 and is seen here rebuilt in brick with Gothic pinnacles. Further changes were made in a restoration of 1868-9 by the squire and rector. These included refacing the chancel walls, rebuilding and heightening the tower in Gothic style and rebuilding the N porch. Evelyn-White 1911 complains ‘<i>the church has been severely restored and much interesting work destroyed’</i>. Dormer windows were added c.1937. C18 grave stones of the Underwood family that Relhan depicts now lie flat in the churchyard, and trees and shrubs fill the boundaries.</p><p>Bradley and Pevsner 2014; Davis EM pers comm; Evelyn-White 1911; RCHME 1968; VCH 1989</p></p>