Saint Peter And Saint Paul

Of the exterior, the tall west tower is of the early C14, irregularly coursed ashlar, 3 stages with flat gabled buttresses to each stage, paired lights to bell chamber on west side, parapetted with large octagonal corner pinnacles and gargoyles below the parapet.

Inside, the restoration involved extensive, but meticulous reinstatement of existing work, but the main structure is substantially medieval, though possibly rebuilt.

Thus, the north arcade is the earliest (late C13).

Late C13 chancel arch with cylindrical shafts and stiff-leaf.

Chancel has simple sedile in south wall, and 2 stained glass window - the east window, by A. Gibbs, commemorates Charles Earl of Gainsborough, erected by his tenants in 1866.

The south window, by Clayton and Bell is a memorial to the daughter of Sir G. Noel, who died in 1816.

Exton Church is particularly remarkable for its monuments.

The earliest is a table tomb in the chancel: Nicholas Grene, late C14: Incised cross on marble slab on base with ogee-arched niches.

Also in the chancel, a wall monument by Nollekens: Baptist, 4th Earl and Elizabeth his wife, d. 1751 and 1771.

A reclining female figure with a cornucopia, on a sarcophagus backed by an obelisk with medallions and putti.

Chancel N. wall, memorial to James Harrington and his wife Lucy, 1591.

SK9211 : James Harrington, Memorial, Ss Peter & Paul church, Exton

© J.Hannan-Briggs

A large standing monument with 2 kneeling figures at a pri-dieu in a double aedicule.

Wrought in various marbles and enriched with low-relief carving, strapwork etc. surmounted by obelisk, and arms.

Stylistically linked with this, the SK 9211 - 9311 EXTON EXTON PARK 5/56 Church of Saints Peter & Paul (Cont) 14.6.54 I S. transept memorial,to Robert Kelway, his daughter, wife and their 2 children.

Made of various marbles, a large standing wall monument of 1580, richly decorated and with a recumbant and kneeling figures of the whole family, in an aedicule, capped by obelisk, arms, etc. Grander than the chancel monument, the 2 seem clearly linked.

This memorial is attributed by Pevsner to Nicholas Johnson and elsewhere (Rutland Magazine Vol. III) to Nicholas Stone.

In the N. transept the grandest of C11 the monument commemorates the 3rd Viscount Campden, Baptist Noel of 1683.

Within, are the Viscount and his 4th wife in effigy and various lowreliefs, depicting his previous wives and 19 children, in Roman dress, completed at least by Grinling Gibbons.

In north aisle, memorial to Anne, wife of Lord Bruce of Kinloss, died 1627, a very classical monument for its date, black and white marble table tomb with shrouded effigy.

Also, another wall monument by Nollekens 1787, for lieutenant Lord General Bennett Noel.

SK9211 : Memorial to Lieutenant General Bennett Noel

© Alan Murray-Rust

Also of note: the font, late C14 octagonal with trefoiled niches on each face and carved heads in the spandrels.