St Peter & St Paul
Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire
A 12th century church in the village of Nether Heyford.
A marlstone built church set in an attractive churchyard at the western edge of the village.
The earliest part of the building dates back to the 13th century with an octagonal spire on the tower, built in the 14th century, which houses a peal of five bells.
The original church consisted of a broad nave of four bays, together with the chancel. An aisle was added to the south side of the nave (the right hand side when facing the altar) about 1225. This is the oldest visible part of the building. The south aisle piers are round and it is suggested that they may have been reused from another building as they are out of proportion with the arches they support. The arcade leans outwards, suggesting that the original roof was very heavy.
The north aisle was built about 50 years later. Note that the piers are more evenly spaced than those on the south aisle. The north choir aisle, now the Lady Chapel, was built afterwards as an extension eastwards of the north aisle. The aisle to the south of the choir was added in the late 19th century. New pews were built and the pulpit installed in the 1890s.