Church of St Peter and St Paul, Wantage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Peter and St Paul, Wantage |
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| 51°35′19″N 1°25′43″W / 51.5887°N 1.4285°W | |
| Location | Church Street, Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 8AQ |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Anglo-Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Designated | 22 April 1950 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Wantage |
| Deanery | Wantage |
| Archdeaconry | Archdeaconry of Dorchester |
| Diocese | Diocese of Oxford |
The Church of St Peter and St Paul is a special church in Wantage, Oxfordshire, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This church is very old and important. It is known as a parish church, which means it serves the local community. The building is also a Grade I listed building, which is the highest level of protection for historic buildings in England. This means it is a very important part of England's history and architecture.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's History
The oldest parts of the Church of St Peter and St Paul were built a long, long time ago. They date back to the late 1200s. Over the years, the church grew bigger. In the 1400s, the chancel (the part of the church where the altar is) was made longer. Also, new chapels and aisles (side sections) were added.
The Dean and Canons of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle have been connected to Wantage since December 3, 1421. They have been important supporters of the church for centuries.
Changes and Additions Over Time
In 1857, the church had a big makeover. This was part of a time called the Victorian restoration, when many old churches were repaired and updated. A famous architect named George Edmund Street led this work. Later, in 1877, another architect, William Butterfield, made the church even longer by adding one more bay (a section of the building).
In 1895, the south chapel of the church was also restored. This was done to remember William John Butler, who was the vicar (a type of priest) for 34 years. He was a very important person in the church's history.
Because of its historical importance, the church was officially named a Grade I listed building on April 22, 1950.
The Church Today
Today, the Church of St Peter and St Paul is still an active and important part of the community. It is part of the Church of England parish of Wantage. This parish is overseen by the Archdeaconry of Dorchester and the Diocese of Oxford. The church follows the Catholic tradition within the Church of England. This means it has a particular style of worship and beliefs.
Important People Who Served the Church
Many notable clergy members have served at the Church of St Peter and St Paul over the years.
- William John Butler: He was the vicar of the church from 1847 to 1881. He later became the Dean of Lincoln, which is a very important position in the church.
- Edward Foyle Nelson: He was a Curate (a junior priest) at the church from 1857 until he passed away in 1859. A beautiful stained glass window was put in the church in 1861 to honor him.
- Roscow Shedden: He was the vicar from 1931 to 1952. Before coming to Wantage, he was the Bishop of Nassau and The Bahamas.
- Robert Wright: He served as a priest-in-charge from 1978 to 1984 and then as vicar from 1987 to 1992. He later became the Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, a special role in the British Parliament.
Gallery
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The Chancel inside the church
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A view of the East window from the street
