CONISBROUGH ST PETER
As you walk into St Peters church an 8th century welcome greets you!
Described as the oldest building in South Yorkshire, the church has a lovely ‘across the centuries’ feel. There is a warmth and peach which comes to you from the many Christians who have worshipped here down the ages.
Built in Saxon times (c740-750AD) it served as a Minster (or ‘mother church’) to around seventeen other churches from Harthill in the west to Goole in the east. For 400 years it remained in its original form. From c1100 the church was extended and expanded until c1450 when the church became much as it is today.
There are many interesting features to see. These include the ‘hagioscope’ and ‘lychnoscope’ – two squints of different ages. There is a medieval altar slab removed from the ruins of Conisbrough Castle chapel and aumbrys and piscinas of different ages and styles as well as a 15th century font and two 13th century stained glass windows.
In the porch why not try and determine the subject of a lovely Roman-British carving, inside the church you can discover a 12th century tomb chest mentioned by Sir Walter Scott in the notes to his novel ‘Ivanhoe’. Children can count how many carved mice they can find on pieces of furniture by Robert ‘mouse-man’ Thompson.
If you know anything more about the heritage of this site and would like us to include it here please contact us.
VISITING ST PETER
Address: Church Street, Conisbrough
Opening Times: The church is open every day from 9:00am - 4:00pm with a few exceptions.
Contact: 01709 862108 or trevordudhill@aol.com
Directions: A1(M) J36. A630 into Conisbrough. Right at crossroads, follow road and turn left up Dale Road. Follow road to left, then turn right. Church on left.
Grid Reference: SK 512 987 GB Grid
The text has been written by volunteers from the site, more information can be found when you visit in person.
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