A History of the Church
The church dedicated to St Peter is thought to stand on the site of a Christian church built for the local Christian community in Roman times, rebuilt perhaps by St Augustine and his monks in Saxon days, on its original site just of the main street of the city.
Evidence of its early origins can be seen in the tower which incorporates Roman tiles, and, at its lower levels, Saxon quoins or cornerstones. The tower in its present form dates from c1100 and houses four ancient bells; one case c1325 by William le Beltere, another c1430 by William Wodewarde, one by Thomas Palmar c1637 and the fourth by Thomas Hatch of Ulcombe c1599 (recast 1905).
In 1448 King Henry VI issued a charter establishing the Mayoralty of Canterbury, from which date all the names of the Mayoralty are recorded. The Mayor-making service was held in St Peter’s church where the rest for the mayoral mace and sword, dating from 1660, can be seen. Many of the City’s past mayors are buried inside the church as well as in the church yard.
The parish registers begin on September 9th 1590. By the middle of the 1600’s the parish of St Peter’s was the home of many Huguenot and Walloon refugees who had fled their countries to escape religious persecution. They brought with them their skills and crafts, in particular the weaving industry which flourished in Canterbury for nearly a century. Inside the church, on the north wall, is a brass commemorating these settlers who were buried in the church yard.
As early as 1681 St Peter’s had been united with the adjoining parish of Holy Cross; this connection only ended in 1959. In 1974 the parish of St Peter, and St Alphege with St Margaret, and St Mildred with St Mary de Castro, was formed. In 1982 the church of St Alphege was declared redundant.
Having at one time survived a threat of demolition, in 1872 it was in need of repair and was closed for a few years.
In the 1880’s, by the exertions of the Archbishop and the Dean of Canterbury, together with the Mayor and leading citizens, the church was restored and re-equipped – a new organ installed and an adjoining vestry/parish room added.
Until 1910, there was close association with St Augustine’s Missionary College and services were undertaken by Warden Maclear, the Fellows and the students – and from 1897 by the Rev. C. R. Tyrwhitt (as Priest-in-Charge), who financed the building of the nearby parish hall (destroyed in World War II).
Unfortunately, in 1926 owing to regrettable and unhappy circumstances, services were suspended and gradually being denuded of most of its ‘furnishing’ – (including the organ) the church remained closed for almost two decades, ill-used and uncared for.
Concern was revived in the 1940’s encouraged by the incumbent of St Dunstan’s – by then linked with Holy Cross, and it was partially re-opened for private prayer.
In 1949 the Friends of St Peter’s – mainly those of the old congregation still alive, set about restoration and worked valiantly to overcome the desolation, and in 1953 with the help of local clergy, especially Canon Sansbury of St Augustine’s College, Sunday Services were carried out (with harmonium accompaniment).
In 1959 with the re-organisation of parishes and a new Rector, St Peter’s was once again restored to its full life.
Evidence of its early origins can be seen in the tower which incorporates Roman tiles, and, at its lower levels, Saxon quoins or cornerstones. The tower in its present form dates from c1100 and houses four ancient bells; one case c1325 by William le Beltere, another c1430 by William Wodewarde, one by Thomas Palmar c1637 and the fourth by Thomas Hatch of Ulcombe c1599 (recast 1905).
In 1448 King Henry VI issued a charter establishing the Mayoralty of Canterbury, from which date all the names of the Mayoralty are recorded. The Mayor-making service was held in St Peter’s church where the rest for the mayoral mace and sword, dating from 1660, can be seen. Many of the City’s past mayors are buried inside the church as well as in the church yard.
The parish registers begin on September 9th 1590. By the middle of the 1600’s the parish of St Peter’s was the home of many Huguenot and Walloon refugees who had fled their countries to escape religious persecution. They brought with them their skills and crafts, in particular the weaving industry which flourished in Canterbury for nearly a century. Inside the church, on the north wall, is a brass commemorating these settlers who were buried in the church yard.
As early as 1681 St Peter’s had been united with the adjoining parish of Holy Cross; this connection only ended in 1959. In 1974 the parish of St Peter, and St Alphege with St Margaret, and St Mildred with St Mary de Castro, was formed. In 1982 the church of St Alphege was declared redundant.
Having at one time survived a threat of demolition, in 1872 it was in need of repair and was closed for a few years.
In the 1880’s, by the exertions of the Archbishop and the Dean of Canterbury, together with the Mayor and leading citizens, the church was restored and re-equipped – a new organ installed and an adjoining vestry/parish room added.
Until 1910, there was close association with St Augustine’s Missionary College and services were undertaken by Warden Maclear, the Fellows and the students – and from 1897 by the Rev. C. R. Tyrwhitt (as Priest-in-Charge), who financed the building of the nearby parish hall (destroyed in World War II).
Unfortunately, in 1926 owing to regrettable and unhappy circumstances, services were suspended and gradually being denuded of most of its ‘furnishing’ – (including the organ) the church remained closed for almost two decades, ill-used and uncared for.
Concern was revived in the 1940’s encouraged by the incumbent of St Dunstan’s – by then linked with Holy Cross, and it was partially re-opened for private prayer.
In 1949 the Friends of St Peter’s – mainly those of the old congregation still alive, set about restoration and worked valiantly to overcome the desolation, and in 1953 with the help of local clergy, especially Canon Sansbury of St Augustine’s College, Sunday Services were carried out (with harmonium accompaniment).
In 1959 with the re-organisation of parishes and a new Rector, St Peter’s was once again restored to its full life.
