St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Mansfield is a parish church in the Church of England located in the town centre of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The church, war memorial and railings south of the church are listed for special architectural interest. The church is mentioned in Domesday book in 1086. Old Churches of the Mansfield Deanery|H Walkerdine and A. S. Buxton|1907|retrieved on 22 April 2025
History A portion of St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church is Norman. Old Churches of the Mansfield Deanery|H Walkerdine and A. S. Buxton|1907|retrieved on 22 April 2025 In 1096 the church was transferred by William II to Robert Bloet, Bishop of Lincoln. In the 12th century a new stone nave and chancel were built, towards the latter end of this century the church expanded in line with the population of Mansfield. In the 13th century further additions were added including a new aisle and two altars. In 1304 the church was almost entirely destroyed by fire, but was then restored by 1420. The 14th century also saw the church tower raised. In 1428 Henry VI subsidy the church continued to be annexed to the Bishop of Lincoln. Cite Web: https://southwellchurches.nottingham.ac.uk/mansfield-st-peter/hhistory.php|Church History| Mansfield St Peter and St Paul History|retrieved on the 22 April 2025
In 1521 Dame Cecilly Flogan, a business owner, gave land which was given to the church for 99 years. In 1557 Mary I (Mary Tudor) and King Phillip issued a charter which allowed the church to hold land. The steeple was added in 1583, although this has been disputed saying that the steeple was added in 1666. In the north aisle there is Maymott Brass of 1714 which commemorates Queen Anne. cite web,. Mansfield St Peter and St Paul History. https://southwellchurches.nottingham.ac.uk/mansfield-st-peter/hhistory.php . Southwell Churches. access-date 2025.05.22
George Fox the founder of the Quakers lived in Mansfield in 1647 at the site of St Phillip Neri Church. George said in his journal ‘and as I was walking by the steeplehouse side, in the town of Mansfield the Lord said unto me, that which people do trample upon must be thy food. And as the Lord spoke he opened it to me how that people and professors did trample upon the life, even the life of Christ was trampled upon…’.Nickalls, J. L. (1952) The Journal of George Fox. Cambridge University Press. p19. The steeplehouse in Mansfield was the church of St Peter and St Paul.cite web.author=2015.The Mansfield Quaker Heritage Trail. https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/media/112154/the-mansfield-quaker-heritage-trail-leaflet.pdf. Nottinghamshire County Council. Nottingham. Nottinghamshire County Council. 5.22.2025cite web.author=2015.The Mansfield Quaker Heritage Trail. https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/culture-leisure/heritage/mansfield-quakers-heritage-trail. Nottinghamshire County Council. Nottingham. Nottinghamshire County Council. 5.22.2025Horner-Groves, W. (1894). The History of Mansfield. Harpur and Murray. p227-334,
In 2013, the church held a 900-year celebration, claiming to have evidence that the original tower was completed by December, 1113.Church marks 900 years with plea for future Chad (Mansfield local newspaper), 18 December 2018, p.21 Accessed 31 July 2018Mansfield church marks 900 year anniversary Chad (Mansfield local newspaper online) Retrieved 31 July 2018
Bells
There are eight bells in the tower dating from 1603. The bells were cast in 1948.
Organ The 3-manual church organ was acquired in 1970 from Clare College, Cambridge It was substantially altered and enlarged by Noel Mander of London before installation in the south chapel in 1971. There was further work and restoration done, and the organ was re-consecrated at the end of 2000.
Organists Maria Lister 1795–1801 Joseph Webster ca. 1829 Miss Cursham ca. 1869 William Blakely 1883–1891 Arthur Howard Bonser 1889–1902Dictionary of Organs and Organists. First Edition. 1912, p250 Miss M Coleman 1904–1911 Dr George P Allen 1911–1957 (formerly organist of St. Peter's Church, Stapenhill, Burton upon Trent) C K Turner 1957–1959 Malcolm Cousins 1959–1993 David Sheeran Butterworth 1993–1995 John Gull 1996 David Cowlishaw 1997 John P Rose 1998–2007 Paul Hayward 2007-8 John Marriott 2009-
See also Grade I listed buildings in Nottinghamshire Listed buildings in Mansfield (inner area)
Gallery
References
Sources The Buildings of England, Nottinghamshire. Nikolaus Pevsner
External links