St Peter's Church, Duxford facts for kids
St Peter's Church is a historic church located in the village of Duxford, Cambridgeshire, England. For many years, from the early 1100s until the mid-1800s, Duxford had two main churches. The other one was St John's, which was about 500 meters away. In 1874, the two churches joined together, and St Peter's became the only parish church for the village. The person in charge of the church is called the Rector of St Peter's with St John's, Duxford. This church is very important and has been recognized as a Grade I listed building since 1967. This means it's a building of exceptional interest.
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Where is St Peter's Church?
St Peter's Church is found in the southern part of Duxford village. It is just west of the River Cam. The church has been named after St Peter for a very long time, at least since the year 1275.
What Does the Church Look Like?
The church building has several main parts. These include the chancel, which is the area around the altar, and aisles on the north and south sides. It also has a nave, which is the main part where people sit, with a clerestory (a row of windows above the nave). There is also a tall tower at the west end.
History of the Building
The tower and some parts of the chancel are from the very first church built here. The main part of the church, the nave, was rebuilt sometime in the 1300s or 1400s. In 1728, the church tower's original tall spire was taken down. It was replaced with the shorter spire you see today, which is common in churches in this area.
By the time the two Duxford churches joined in 1874, St Peter's was in poor condition. It needed a lot of repair work. A famous architect named Ewan Christian led a big restoration project. This work took place between 1884 and 1891, making the church strong and beautiful again.
Stained Glass Windows
St Peter's Church has some beautiful stained glass windows. There are windows at the east and west ends made by F.C. Eden in 1932. On the south side, there are three windows made by James Powell & Sons (also known as Whitefriars). These were installed between 1888 and 1904. They show scenes like Christ the Good Shepherd, St John the Evangelist, St Peter, and St Peter being led from prison by an angel.
The Church Bells and Clock
The church tower is home to six bells. Most of these bells were moved from St John's Church in 1947. They were then installed in St Peter's in 1948. These bells are rung regularly on Monday evenings. They are also rung for special events and celebrations.
The clock face on the tower was repaired in 2018. This was done just in time for the Remembrance service. That year marked 100 years since the end of the First World War.
Recent Repairs and Fundraising
In 2018, a large amount of lead was stolen from the church's aisles and porch. This was a big problem, and a fundraising campaign began to replace it. This important repair work was finished in January 2024. Now, another campaign is happening to raise money for the nave roof.
Community Activities
St Peter's Church is a busy place for the community. It hosts a free group called 'Tiddlers' twice a month. This group is for babies, toddlers, and their parents or guardians. The church also holds occasional craft cafes and other fundraising events throughout the year.
The church has kitchen and toilet facilities. The entrance and the main nave area are easy to access for people using wheelchairs. St Peter's Church is open every day. Anyone can visit to look around or for a quiet moment of prayer. Information about all services and events can be found on the porch and the outdoor noticeboard.
Church Group
St Peter's parish is part of a group of churches called Hinkledux. This group also includes St Mary Magdalene Church, Ickleton and SS Mary and John, Hinxton. They are all part of the Diocese of Ely.
