St Peter, Babraham

History of St Peter Babraham

Listed building:

West tower c.1200, chancel early C13, nave and aisles, south porch mid C15.

Standing at the end of a quiet lane beside Babraham Hall, St Peter’s Church is one of South Cambridgeshire’s most rewarding parish churches. Built largely of local clunch and flint, its simple East Anglian exterior gives little hint of the artistic treasures within. Although the church retains medieval features, including 17th- and 18th-century benches, box pews and a handsome Perpendicular pulpit with its clerk’s desk, it is best known for two works of art separated by nearly three centuries.

The first is the extraordinary Bennett memorial in the south aisle, created by the sculptor Jasper Latham in the mid-seventeenth century. It commemorates Sir Richard and Sir Thomas Bennet, whose striking white marble figures stand against a dark background. Their remarkably lifelike faces, expressive gestures and dramatic poses make this one of the finest Baroque monuments in Cambridgeshire. Rather than presenting the brothers as passive effigies, Latham captures them in what appears to be an animated conversation, lending the memorial an unusual sense of movement and personality.

Equally remarkable is the modern east window, designed by the celebrated artist John Piper and executed by Patrick Reyntiens. Installed in the twentieth century, it depicts the emblems of St Peter, including the keys, fishing boat, cock, chains and anchor. The rich colours fill the church with light and demonstrate how modern stained glass can complement a medieval building without overwhelming it.

The church also preserves hatchments of the local Adeane family, reflecting Babraham’s long association with the neighbouring Hall. Together, its medieval fabric, distinguished Baroque sculpture and outstanding modern stained glass make St Peter’s an exceptional example of a living parish church whose treasures span more than five hundred years of English art and architecture.

Reference: based on the description of Babraham in Simon Jenkins, England’s Thousand Best Churches, together with general architectural and historical context.