St Peter's Church, Fleetwood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Peter's |
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St Peter's Church, from the south
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| OS grid reference | SD 338 480 |
| Location | Fleetwood, Lancashire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Consecrated | 1841 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 31 March 1978 |
| Architect(s) | Decimus Burton, Paley and Austin (1883 extension) |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Poulton |
| Archdeaconry | Lancaster |
| Diocese | Blackburn |
| Province | York |
St Peter's Church is a historic building in Fleetwood, a seaside town in Lancashire, England. It is an active Church of England church. The church was finished in 1841. It was designed by Decimus Burton, a famous architect. Burton was hired in 1836 to plan the new town of Fleetwood. St Peter's Church is a special building. It is protected as a Grade II listed building, meaning it's important for its history or architecture.
Contents
The Church's Story
How Fleetwood Town Began
Fleetwood is a town that was planned and built in the 1800s. It was created by Sir Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood. He was a local landowner and a Member of Parliament (MP). In 1836, he hired Decimus Burton to design the new town.
Building St Peter's Church
St Peter's Church was one of the buildings Burton designed for Fleetwood. Construction started in 1839 and finished in 1841. Sir Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood himself laid the first stone. The church was officially opened in 1841.
Sir Peter's aunt, Anna-Maria Hesketh, helped pay for the church. She paid for the tall tower and the spire. A spire is a pointed structure on top of a church tower. However, the spire had to be removed in 1904 because it was not safe.
Changes Over Time
In 1883, parts of the church were changed. Architects from Lancaster, named Paley and Austin, made these changes. They added a chancel, which is the part of the church where the altar is. They also added a chapel and a room for the organ. These changes cost about £3,000 at the time.
About the Building
Church Design and Materials
St Peter's Church stands on a raised area in the middle of Fleetwood. It has an iron fence around it. The church is built from grey stone that looks rough. It also has smooth red sandstone decorations. The side walls and the tower have tall, narrow windows called lancet windows.
The main part of the church, called the nave, does not have aisles. An architectural expert once said the church's design was quite simple.
Inside the Church
The church can hold 400 people. It used to have space for 200 more people in galleries. These galleries were like balconies on the north and south sides. However, these extra seating areas were removed in 1960.
Importance and Use
Listed Building Status
St Peter's Church was officially named a Grade II listed building on March 31, 1978. This means it is a building of special historical or architectural interest. It is protected to make sure it lasts for a long time.
Current Church Activities
St Peter's is still an active Church of England parish church. It is part of the Diocese of Blackburn. This diocese is a church area within the larger Province of York. The church is also part of the Lancaster archdeaconry and the Poulton Deanery.
See also
- Listed buildings in Fleetwood
- List of ecclesiastical works by Paley and Austin
