Tony Garofalo
Saint Peter's Church at Alstonefield
The church of St. Peter most probably dates back to the 12th century but it is built on the site of a much older place of worship that pre-dates the Norman Conquest and that is known to have been visited in 892 by St. Oswald, the Archbishop of York. It stands in the picturesque village of Alstonefield (“Aelfstan’s Field”), which is located approximately 7 miles north of Ashbourne (“Stream where ash trees grow”), in the Peak District National Park.
St. Peter’s church is constructed of coursed rubble and consists of a chancel, an aisled and clerestoried nave of four bays with north and south porches, and a west tower. Numerous additions and alterations have been made to the church over the centuries, perhaps most notably in the 16th century when the tower, the north aisle and most of the chancel were rebuilt and the clerestory was added. Of particular note inside the church there is a finely carved double decker pulpit dated 1637, a set of 17th century wooden box pews and the bowl of a Saxon font that was dug up in the churchyard. The church has a peal of six bells, two of which date back to 1677. Once the church contained a huge strongbox that was several hundred years old and that had three locks. The vicar and two churchwardens each had a key and it could only be unlocked when all three were present at special “opening ceremonies” but sadly it was stolen from the church in 1995. St. Peter’s church also has a large number of stone cross fragments that pre-date the Norman Conquest. Fragments of Anglo-Saxon or Viking crosses have been incorporated into the nave and the porch of the church and two of them can be found outside in the churchyard. The church is a Grade 1 listed building.
The picture was taken in the churchyard, looking north-westwards towards the church.
Saint Peter's Church at Alstonefield
The church of St. Peter most probably dates back to the 12th century but it is built on the site of a much older place of worship that pre-dates the Norman Conquest and that is known to have been visited in 892 by St. Oswald, the Archbishop of York. It stands in the picturesque village of Alstonefield (“Aelfstan’s Field”), which is located approximately 7 miles north of Ashbourne (“Stream where ash trees grow”), in the Peak District National Park.
St. Peter’s church is constructed of coursed rubble and consists of a chancel, an aisled and clerestoried nave of four bays with north and south porches, and a west tower. Numerous additions and alterations have been made to the church over the centuries, perhaps most notably in the 16th century when the tower, the north aisle and most of the chancel were rebuilt and the clerestory was added. Of particular note inside the church there is a finely carved double decker pulpit dated 1637, a set of 17th century wooden box pews and the bowl of a Saxon font that was dug up in the churchyard. The church has a peal of six bells, two of which date back to 1677. Once the church contained a huge strongbox that was several hundred years old and that had three locks. The vicar and two churchwardens each had a key and it could only be unlocked when all three were present at special “opening ceremonies” but sadly it was stolen from the church in 1995. St. Peter’s church also has a large number of stone cross fragments that pre-date the Norman Conquest. Fragments of Anglo-Saxon or Viking crosses have been incorporated into the nave and the porch of the church and two of them can be found outside in the churchyard. The church is a Grade 1 listed building.
The picture was taken in the churchyard, looking north-westwards towards the church.