St Peter's Church, Eype facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Peter's Church
St Peter's Church
Religion
Affiliation	Church of England
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Active
Year consecrated	1865
Location
Location	Eype, Dorset, England
Architecture
Architect(s)	Talbot Bury
Architectural type	Church

St Peter's Church is a beautiful Church of England church located in Eype, a lovely village in Dorset, England. It was built a long time ago, between 1864 and 1865. Today, this historic church is not just a place for worship. It also serves as a lively arts venue, known as the Eype Centre for the Arts.

The Story of St Peter's Church

Why the Church Was Built

St Peter's Church was first built as a chapel of ease. This means it was a smaller church created to help people who lived far away from the main parish church, which was St. John the Baptist in Symondsbury. It made it easier for them to attend church services.

A kind rector named Rev. Gregory Raymond, who passed away in 1863, left £3,000 in his will to help build this new church. That was a lot of money back then! His successor, Rev. Henry Rawlinson, continued to work hard to make the church a reality in Eype.

Choosing the Location

A generous person named Mr. Syndercombe Bower donated a piece of land for the church. This land was on a hilltop above Eype. This spot was perfect because it meant the church could also serve people living in nearby Watton and parts of Bridport Harbour.

Building the Church

The first stone of the church was laid on May 28, 1864. This special event was led by the Bishop of Salisbury, Walter Kerr Hamilton. The church's design was created by an architect from London named Talbot Bury. He also oversaw the building work.

Many local craftspeople helped build St Peter's. Mr. George Swaffield from Shipton Gorge was the main builder. All the carpentry and woodwork were done by Mr. George G. Hayward of Burton Bradstock. Mr. W. K. Brown from Bridport handled the plumbing, painting, and decorations. The church was finished and officially opened by the Bishop of Salisbury on August 24, 1865.

St Peter's as an Arts Centre

A New Purpose for the Church

Over time, fewer people were attending church services. To help the church stay open and active, a big project took place between 2002 and 2003. The idea was to give the church an extra role as an arts venue. It officially opened as the Eype Centre for the Arts in 2003.

Rev. Dr. Ray Shorthouse came up with this clever idea. He believed that giving the church a dual role – as both a church and an arts center – would help it survive for many years to come. The changes cost £250,000, which came from a local group called the Walbridge Trust.

Events and Activities

Today, the Eype Centre for the Arts is a busy place! It regularly hosts concerts, art exhibitions, and many other exciting events. It's a wonderful example of how old buildings can find new life and continue to be important parts of their communities.

A Famous Recording Location

In 2010, St Peter's Church was used by the famous musician PJ Harvey. She recorded her eighth studio album, Let England Shake, right there in the church! She mentioned in an interview that she remembered the person who runs the arts venue had offered the space for shows or rehearsals. This made it the perfect place for her to record.

Church Design and Materials

St Peter's Church was built using local stone from Symondsbury and Bothenhampton. The parts around the windows, doors, and arches were made from Bath stone, which is a lighter, smoother stone.

The church was designed in a style called Decorated Gothic. It was built to hold 300 people. The layout of the church is shaped like a cross, which is called a cruciform plan. It includes a main hall (nave), a special area for the altar (chancel), a room for clergy (sacristy), and two side sections (north and south transepts). There is also a small entrance area (south porch).

The original plan included a tall tower. However, there wasn't enough money to build it. Instead, a smaller bell turret was added to the western end of the roof.