St Peter's Church, Eaton Square facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Peter's Church, Eaton Square |
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South-west front of St Peter's
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| OS grid reference | TQ 28583 79295 |
| Location | Eaton Square, Belgravia, London SW1 |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | liberal Anglo-Catholic |
| Website | St Peter's Eaton Square |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | Peter the Apostle |
| Events | 1837 rebuilt after a fire 1987 gutted by fire again 1991 rebuilt again |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* listed |
| Designated | 24 February 1958 |
| Architect(s) | Henry Hakewill (1824 design) Arthur Blomfield (1875 chancel and transepts) Braithwaite Partnership (1991 rebuilding) |
| Style | Neoclassical |
| Completed | 1827, 1837, 1991 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | London |
| Province | Canterbury |
St. Peter's Church, Eaton Square, is a beautiful church located in Eaton Square, Belgravia, London. It belongs to the Church of England. The church has a grand, classic design called Neoclassical, created by architect Henry Hakewill. It features a large entrance with six Ionic columns and a clock tower.
In 1991, The Times newspaper called St Peter's "one of the most beautiful churches in London." It is also a Grade II* listed building, which means it is a very important historic building.
Contents
History of St. Peter's Church
St Peter's Church was built between 1824 and 1827. This was when the area around Eaton Square was first being developed. The inside of the church was simple, with seating areas on three sides. The organ and choir were at the back.
Sadly, this first building burned down. In 1837, it was rebuilt using the original plans. The church received money from the Church Building Commission to help with the costs.
Changes and Enlargements
In 1875, the church was made bigger and changed inside by Sir Arthur Blomfield. He added a chancel (the area around the altar) and transepts (parts that stick out from the sides, making the church look like a cross). Inside, these new parts looked like Romanesque Revival style. However, from the outside, they still matched the original classic design.
For many years, St Peter's Church was known as St Peter's, Pimlico. After World War II, some nearby church parishes were combined with St Peter's. This happened because their churches were badly damaged during the war.
In 1951, a crypt (an underground room) that held about 400 burials was cleared. The remains were moved to a cemetery in Surrey.
Fire and Rebuilding in the 1980s
On October 20, 1987, a fire was deliberately started at the church. Within hours, the entire church was on fire. The next day, the fire was out, but only the outer walls of the old building remained. The roof was gone, and most of the inside was destroyed.
The church needed to be completely rebuilt. The Braithwaite Partnership, a group of architects, was chosen to design a new, simpler inside. They also planned to add other important spaces. These included a home for the vicar, offices, flats for church staff, a meeting hall, and rooms for a nursery school and youth club.
Work on the new church began in 1990 and finished in 1991. The grand entrance from the original building was kept. However, the inside is now bright and modern. The choir and organ are at the back, just like in the first 1827 design. The church is easy to access for everyone, including those with disabilities. Behind the altar, there is a beautiful apse (a curved part) decorated with gold mosaic. You can still see parts of the old church from 1873 that survived the fire.
St. Peter's Today
St Peter's Church follows the liberal Anglo-Catholic tradition of the Church of England. It holds services using both the Book of Common Prayer and Common Worship.
Notable Weddings at St. Peter's
Many famous weddings have taken place at St. Peter's Church over the years. Here are a few:
- Gertrude Vernon and Sir Andrew Agnew, 9th Baronet, on October 15, 1889.
- Olga FitzGeorge and Charles Edward Archibald Watkin Hamilton, on December 18, 1897. He later became Sir Archibald Hamilton, 5th Baronet.
- Prince Victor Duleep Singh and Lady Anne Blanche Alice of Coventry, on April 4, 1898.
- Edith Helen Chaplin and Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh, on November 28, 1899.
- Dorothea Beighton and J. A. Middleton, on January 4, 1921.
- Margaret Campbell Geddes and Prince Ludwig of Hesse and by Rhine, on November 17, 1937. Their wedding was moved forward because Prince Ludwig's family was in a plane crash.
- Stirling Moss and Canadian heiress Katie Molson, on October 7, 1957. More than 500 guests attended their wedding.
- Lady Camilla Bingham and Michael Bloch, on September 12, 1998.
Images for kids
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The organ inside St Peter's after the 1991 rebuilding
See also
- List of Commissioners' churches in London
- Mother Cecile of Grahamstown
