One of the Friends’ objectives is to stimulate interest and research into the history and architecture of St Peter’s. We list here sources of information on St Peter’s and would welcome suggestions for further items suitable for inclusion .
General
R.M. Serjeantson A History of the Church of St Peter Northampton together with the chapels of Kingsthorpe and Upton 1906
Serjeantson was Curate at St Sepulchre’s, Northampton, before becoming Rector of St Peter’s. This substantial volume is the most comprehensive book about St Peter’s. It is available now as an affordable paperback reprint and as a pdf download from the Internet Archive.
Architecture
Nikolaus Pevsner Northamptonshire The buildings of England 2nd edn 1973
The classic architectural guide, which states the St Peter’s is “the most interesting Norman church in Northamptonshire”.
Simon Jenkins England’s Thousand Best Churches 1999
Jenkins’ article of St Peter’s is a bit out of date because the church is certainly no longer neglected. If he came back now surely he’d award more than the mingy 2 star rating!
History
Bazil Marsh and David Sargant Saint Ragener circa 1994
The last rector, Archdeacon Marsh, was able to preserve the story of St Ragener. The cult is mentioned in a number of medieval manuscripts. This booklet revived a legend which had almost been forgotten.
More manuscripts and source materials are now digitally available and further clues emerge about St Ragener. Research is ongoing.