St Peter's Church Stokeham

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St Peter's Church, Stokeham is a small medieval parish church in the village of Stokeham, Nottinghamshire. Despite its modest size, it preserves architectural features spanning more than 800 years and is one of the village's two listed historic structures.

The church is primarily a 13th-century building, consisting of a simple nave and chancel built of local stone. Its most distinctive external feature is the small western bellcote (a gabled bell turret) with two openings, although only one bell remains. The masonry and the characteristic narrow lancet windows are typical of Early English Gothic architecture.

One of its oldest treasures is the 12th-century Norman font, which predates much of the present building and still retains its original iron staples. The churchyard also contains a rare medieval stone coffin dating from around the 13th century, which is separately listed.

Evidence in the south wall shows that St Peter's once had a south aisle, probably with three bays. This aisle was demolished in the late 17th or early 18th century, and the arches were blocked up; their outlines remain visible in the stonework today.

By the mid-19th century the church had fallen into severe disrepair. Much of the village's population worshipped at the local Methodist chapel or attended services in nearby East Drayton, with which Stokeham had long shared a parish.

After decades of neglect, the church underwent a comprehensive restoration in 1928, including repairs to the roof and walls, rebuilding of the south porch, new glazing, new seating and structural timberwork. A First World War memorial window was added shortly afterwards in 1930.

Today, St Peter's remains a remarkably simple rural church whose significance lies in its authenticity rather than grandeur. Its Norman font, Early English lancet windows, medieval fabric, and traces of earlier alterations provide a tangible record of the changing history of a small English village church from the Middle Ages to the present day.

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