History of St Peter's
Irthlingborough
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Founded
Irthlingborough Church was founded under the will of John & Joan Pyel, and
erected around 1400, their memorial can be found in the John Pyel Chapel
on the south side of the main altar.
Monastic/Lantern Tower
Unusually amongst Northamptonshire churches Irthlingborough church has a lantern
tower ( a feature normally associated with churches on the Lincolnshire and
Cambridgeshire fens). This dates back to the days before the Nene valley was
bridged or drained, in those days there was a river ford between Higham Ferrers
and Irthlingborough, but due to the boggy nature of the undrained valley, fogs
were frequent and much worse than today. To guide travelers across the Nene and
marsh's monks built two Lantern Towers at Higham and Irtlhlingbrough and would
light fires in the lantern's. Today the road is maintained and lit by the county
council on behalf of the Department of Transport.
Recent
Recent developments have included a new organ over the west door; the
addition of the Albert Underwood room replacing some of the North Transept,
(providing much needed kitchen and toilet facilities); and a floor replacing one
removed many years ago in the tower allowing the bells to be rung from a higher
level and freeing the floor below for other uses, (principally the crèche).
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