St Peter

EXTERIOR: The tower is 3 stages, Norman in its lower 2 stages, to which diagonal buttresses at the bell stage, and an embattled parapet on a corbel table, with stout corner pinnacles, were added in the C15.

The bell stage has 2-light transomed Perpendicular openings, below which is a 1660 sundial on the south face.

In the chancel, angle buttresses incorporate statue niches with figures of saints.

Three-bay chancel arcades have piers of filleted quatrefoil section, foliage capitals and moulded arches with angel stops to linked hood moulds.

In the spandrels are corbelled niches with figures of saints below canopies.

It has hammerbeams in the form of angels, and tracery above arched braces.

The chancel has encaustic and plain tile floors and the north chancel-aisle chapel has a mosaic floor.

PRINCIPAL FIXTURES: The east wall has an early C20 wall painting of Christ in Glory by the pre-Raphaelite E. Reginald Frampton (copies of drawings in the church suggest it was the first part of a scheme for the whole nave).

The octagonal font, with panelled bowl and stem, is C15 and was discarded in 1771 but reinstated in 1841.

The monumental freestone pulpit is probably Crossland¿s design, and has figures of the Four Doctors, and stone steps with wrought-iron balustrade.

Medieval choir stalls have ends with blind tracery and poppy heads, with carvings on the arm rests of foliage and animals.

Early C19 metal plaques with Commandments, Apostle's Creed and Lord's Prayer are on the north and south sanctuary walls.

Stained glass includes 2 highly-coloured windows by J.B. Capronnier of Brussels , 2 by F.X. Zettler of Munich and 3 attributed to Kempe In the south-east corner of the outer south aisle is a brass to Mrs Popeley , unusually depicting her in a shroud, and a repository of discarded fixtures, such as parts of a font, stoups, medieval grave slabs, and several C16 bench ends

2 of the C17, one dated 1616.

The tower was heightened in the C15 but nothing remains from C14 rebuilding.

All that remains of the remainder of the medieval church are some grave slabs, font and other architectural fragments.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION: The church of St Peter, Birstall, is designated at Grade II* for the following principal reasons: * For its medieval tower, of which the lower stages are of c1100 and the bell stage and crown are of the C15. * The remainder of the building is a large and ambitious C19 church by W.H. Crossland, a prominent Yorkshire architect, and demonstrates well his preference for the Decorated style and taste for lavish decoration. * The church has a range of good-quality fixtures from the C15-C19, including some C16

early C17 bench ends, a rare survival and good stained glass.

The Popely brass is unusual in iconographic terms.