Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall |
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 Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall
Location in England
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| 51°44′07″N 0°56′24″E / 51.73536°N 0.93994°E | |
| Location | Essex |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Chapel |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed building |
| Designated | 30 December 1959 |
| Specifications | |
| Other dimensions | wall thickness 2.5 feet (0.76 m) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | looked after by the parish church of St Thomas Bradwell-on-Sea |
| Diocese | Diocese of Chelmsford |
The Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall in Bradwell-on-Sea is a very old Christian church. It was built around 660–662 AD, making it one of the oldest churches in England that is still mostly complete. People still use it regularly for Church of England services. It is also used by the Othona Community, which is located nearby. This special building is recognized as a Grade I listed building, meaning it's very important historically.
Contents
History of the Chapel
How Old Is St Peter's Chapel?
According to a writer named Bede, who lived in the early 700s, there was a "city" called Ythanceaster near the River Penta. The Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall was most likely built by Bishop Cedd in 654 AD. It was an Anglo-Celtic church for the East Saxons. The chapel was built right on top of the old Roman fort of Othona. The chapel you see today was probably built between 654 and 662 AD. It even uses old Roman bricks and stones in its walls!
Who Built the Chapel?
In 653, Bishop Cedd traveled south from Lindisfarne to share the Christian faith. He was asked to do this by Sigeberht the Good, who was the King of the East Saxons at that time. After Cedd became a bishop, he returned the next year. He then built this chapel and probably other churches too. Bishop Cedd passed away in October 664 because of the plague. After his death, the chapel became part of the Diocese of London.
What Happened to the Chapel Over Time?
There are no records of the chapel being used again until 1442. In that year, local church leaders told the Bishop of London that the chapel had been made a bit bigger. It had a small tower above the porch with a bell inside. However, they didn't know where the chapel came from, and it was unusable because it had been burned.
The chapel was repaired and used regularly alongside the main church in Bradwell-on-Sea. This continued until at least the Tudor period (the 1500s). After that, it stopped being used as a church again. For a while, it was even used as a barn! You can still see where a wide barn doorway used to be on the south side of the building. It has since been filled in.
In 1920, the chapel was fixed up and started being used as a church again. It was officially named a Grade I listed building in 1959. This means it's a very important historical site.
Recent Concerns About the Chapel
In May 2023, a book was published called St Peter-on-the Wall Landscape and Heritage on the Essex Coast. This book talked about worries over a planned nuclear power station called Bradwell B nuclear power station. People were concerned that the power station might harm the local environment and the special area around the chapel.
How the Chapel Is Used Today
Regular Services and Events
The Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall belongs to Chelmsford Cathedral. It is cared for by the Chaplain, the Reverend Steven Poss, who is also the Rector of the parish church of St Thomas in Bradwell-on-Sea. Members of the church also help look after it.
The chapel holds regular public services every week. There is a Communion service every Thursday morning at 9:00 am. Special services are also held during Christmas and Easter. In the summer, evening services take place every Sunday in July and August at 6:30 pm.
The Bradwell Pilgrimage
The chapel and the field next to it are the end point of the Bradwell Pilgrimage. This special walk happens every year on the first Saturday in July. The procession starts at the Parish Church of St Thomas. Pilgrims walk about two miles to reach the Chapel, where services and other events are held.
Other Uses of the Chapel
The chapel is also used by the nearby Othona Community. This community was started in 1946 by Norman Motley. It is a Christian-based group that welcomes people of all faiths and none.
In 2018, the chapel was used as a filming location for two music videos by the boys' choir Libera.
The chapel is also the end point of St Peter's Way. This is a 45-mile long walking path that starts in Chipping Ongar.
See also
In Spanish: Capilla de Saint Peter-on-the-Wall para niños
