The Church of St Peter and St Paul is a Church of England parish church situated in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, England. The church is listed Grade I on the National Heritage List for England.[1]
| Church of St Peter and St Paul | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| 51°42′03″N 0°41′56″W / 51.7008°N 0.6988°W | |
| OS grid reference | SP 90015 01038 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Liberal Catholic |
| Website | St Peter and St Paul |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Peter and St Paul |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 250 |
| Administration | |
| Province | Canterbury |
| Diocese | Oxford |
| Episcopal area | Buckingham |
| Archdeaconry | Buckingham |
| Deanery | Wendover |
| Parish | Great Missenden with Ballinger and Little Hampden |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | The Right Revd Dr Alan Wilson |
| Vicar(s) | The Revd Malcolm Chalmers |
The church primarily dates back to the 14th century, with significant enhancements made in the 15th century.[1] Notably, the tower has an asymmetrical lower level due to its southward extension after the Reformation. This extension, featuring a nearly 14-foot thick wall, was constructed to support a new belfry, which housed five bells that had been relocated from the dissolved Missenden Abbey.[2] The church underwent restoration, and its northeast aisle was rebuilt between 1899 and 1900[1] by the architect John Oldrid Scott.[3]
Constructed mainly from flint rubble, the church also incorporates sarsen stone footings and various dressings made from ashlar, contributing to its distinctive appearance. Some sections are roughcast, adding to the historical character of the building.[1]
The churchyard of St Peter and St Paul is the final resting place of the famous writer Roald Dahl, who lived in nearby Gipsy House.[4] Additionally, the churchyard contains two Commonwealth War Graves Commission memorials, honoring Rifleman Jeffrey James Whitney of the Rifle Brigade, who died in September 1940 at the age of 20, and Major Basil Arthur Parnwell of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), who died in July 1947.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Historic England. "Church of Saints Peter and Paul (1124812)". National Heritage List for England.
- ^ "St Peter and St Paul". Retrieved 1 November 2019.
- ^ "Great Missenden". Church Crawler. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
- ^ roalddahl.com Roald Dahl's grave
- ^ "Great Missenden (St Peter and Paul) Churchyard". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 13 May 2020.