What do you know of our Parish Church?St Peter’s is a Grade II* listed building Grade II* buildings are particularly important buildings of more than special interest – only around 5.8% of listed buildings are Grade II*. Most are Grade II, and exceptional buildings are Grade IOur church building has a long and fascinating history. The first part of the building a small chancel and a nave were built following the Norman invasion in the 1100’s, with Iconic Norman arch and possibly the original bell tower. Additions over the Centuries included a north Aisle (no longer there) Medieval arches and 16th Century Chancel window. Following a fall into disrepair in the early 18th Century, the North aisle was removed, and the tower was renovated in 1732. In 1870 the chancel was extended, and an East Stain glass window and Reredos were installed (a memorial to Vicar Hides), and the church benefitted from a vestry.The 20th Century brought electric lights in 1948, an electric organ blower in 1959 (bellows in use till then) oil fired heating in 1959/60, and a carpet which, though past its best, is still in use today.The 21st Century saw further repairs and restoration, with a Grant aided project managed by the current PCC, completed in 2014 including tower repairs, roof repairs, restoration of medieval wall and French drains. With a church getting on for 900 years old there will always be a lot to do!That is the building and the history, but of course the history is about the people who came to the church and why. The Christian people of Gayton had been using a church on this site long before the Norman’s put their stamp on it and have continued to do so through the many ages since. The lives and seasons of the year in this rural parish revolved around the church and the community it served, and the worship they gave there. At one time the church would have had more than one service on a Sunday, indeed this was still the case into the 20th century, but in more recent years the number of services has dwindled from two per month to one. The world has changed and ‘Church on Sunday’ being the norm for most folk has changed to only on special occasions or special services. The services that we do have still provide a time to worship and talk to God alongside others and all are welcome to join us.Financially the Church is struggling, our future in the parish needs thought, care and consultation alongside the Mid-Trent team of churches and the Diocese. We are looking for a way forward in the meantime and hope that St Peter’s will be able to continue to serve Gayton as it has for hundreds of years. You don’t have to be a practising Christian to support the church just have a wish to keep it open which sadly may not be possible moving forward. If you would like to join our services, help with the church, help financially or just have a chat about anything to do with what I have written, please do get in touch. Jane (Church Warden)email janerock@phonecoop.coop Tel: 01785 -251180
