England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Newport Pagnell St Peter & St Paul

The Parish

The parish of Newport Pagnell lies in northeastern Buckinghamshire, close to both the border with neighbouring Bedfordshire but also that with Northamptonshire. Newport Pagnell is located roughly midway between Buckingham and Bedford and sits on the northern edge of the modern new town of Milton Keynes. Newport Pagnell sits on the former route of the A422 road which connects those two places and grew up at the point where that road crosses the River Great Ouse. Modern communications also pass through the parish, the modern M1 passing to the west of the town, older forms include a side branch of the Grade Union Canal permitting trade to both London & the Midlands. Newport Pagnell is a market town, it was granted that status as far back as 1270, and was centre for local agricultural trade as well an important centre for the manufacture of lace. The wider parish of Newport Pagnell would have been largely agricultural, roughly half arable to half pastoral due to the proximity of the Great Ouse floodplain supporting rich pastures. Today Newport Pagnell has almost been absorbed into the wider settlement of Milton Keynes, the M1 does, however, form a barrier of sorts retaining Newport Pagnell's separate identity. The Great Ouse drains the parish northeastwards making its way to the North Sea through The Wash and the port of King's Lynn. Newport Pagnell is sited at around 60 metres above the sea in gentle countryside that rises to little more than 90 metres within a wide distance. Newport Pagnell parish, as befits a market town, was one of the larger in northern Buckinghamshire, it covered just over 3,200 acres and would have supported a population of almost 3,600 parishioners. In Domesday times Newport Pagnell was held by one William (son of Ansculf) and could offer 24 ploughs, woodland and 2 mills.

The Church

St Peter & St Paul's church sits just to the east of the former route of the A422 through the town and set back a little behind fronting properties. It is one of the largest churches in northern Buckinghamshire as befits the size of Newport Pagnell town. Pevsner speculates that the church, originating in the early to mid-14th century has been much modified during the later Perpendicular period of the 16th century so much so that he indicates the church was changed from a cruciform design with a central crossing tower into today's standard layout of nave, chancel and western tower. Traces of arches leading to transepts can be seen albeit they have been removed too. The main body of the church is mid-14th century whilst there are accurate documentary dating evidence to show the tower was placed between 1542 and 1548, its pinnacles were added during extensive 19th century restorations. The church is approached from the High Street via a paved open area containing the War Memorial, a narrow entrance which opens up into the extensive churchyards which is open and with few obstructions to photography.