St Peter

MATERIALS: Coursed squared lias and sandstone masonry, west gable brick, timber-framed tower, and tile roofs PLAN: Nave, chancel, and aisled north-west tower.

In the south chancel wall is a low-set trefoil-headed window on the left and, in the centre, the frame of a C14 window with 2-light plate-tracery infill in brick, which is possibly C16.

On the north side is a small high-set C12 window to the crossing, with deep internal splay (an identical window further west now opens into the tower).

The shallow projecting south doorway is C12 but repaired.

The door is strengthened by a C12 wrought-iron strap with C-scrolls.

Openings have Tudor heads.

It has one order of nook shafts and scalloped capitals, with stepped arch incorporating an upside-down figure of St Peter.

Medieval 2-colour tiles have been laid around the font.

PRINCIPAL FIXTURES: The font has a shallow bowl on an octagonal stem with square base, and is possibly C12.

The late C17 polygonal pulpit, on a stone base, is decorated with round-headed arches.

Nave benches, partly C16-C17 but otherwise C19, have square ends with moulded tops, and C19 choir stalls have shaped ends.

The doorway into the tower has a timber door with C12 straps incorporating C-scrolls.

An Anglo-Saxon mass dial is over the north doorway.

HISTORY: A church of C12 origin, originally with nave, central tower and chancel.

The present chancel is C14.

The nave was lengthened by taking down the central tower and the west tower arch, and building a new north-west tower, which has been dated to the late C14.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION: The church of St Peter, Pirton, is listed Grade I for the following principal reasons: * For the extent of its surviving Norman fabric. * For the special historic and structural interest of the C14 timber-framed tower, the only example in Worcestershire of a tower with aisles * It has other medieval features of special interest, including roofs, ironwork on the doors and mass dial.