St Peter's Church, Bedford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Peter's Church |
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|---|---|
| The Parish Church of St Peter de Merton with St Cuthbert | |
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| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | Saint Peter Cuthbert of Lindisfarne |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Bedford |
| Archdeaconry | Bedford |
| Diocese | St Albans |
| Province | Canterbury |
St. Peter's Church, also known as The Parish Church of St Peter de Merton with St Cuthbert, is an Anglican church located on St Peter's Street in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. It is a historic building that has been a place of worship for a very long time.
Contents
A Look Back: How Old Is St. Peter's Church?
The land where St. Peter's Church stands has been used for Christian worship for over a thousand years. While the current church building isn't that old, it still holds some of the oldest architectural pieces in Bedford. These pieces show how the church has changed over many centuries.
Who Was in Charge of the Church?
Long ago, a group called the Augustinian Canons from Merton Priory in Surrey helped choose people for roles in the church. This connection is why the church still has 'de Merton' in its name. Later, in the 1500s, the English Crown took over the church's support after a big change called the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
What Are the Oldest Parts of the Church?
The church's tower, made of stone and cement, was built during Saxon times. You can also see a Saxon arch and doorway in the east wall of the bell tower. Later, during the Norman period, a special doorway arch was added to the south porch. This arch actually came from another church in Bedford.
When Were More Parts Added?
In the 1200s and 1300s, new features were added. These included the font (used for baptisms), a priest's door, and windows in the chancel (the area around the altar). A copy of an old stone niche, called a fenestella, was put in the south wall of the sanctuary in the 1800s.
How Did the Church Change in the 1800s and 1900s?
In the 1800s, St. Peter's Church became much larger. New parts like the vestry (a room for clergy), aisles, and a west porch were added. The main part of the church, called the nave, was also extended. In the 1900s, more changes happened. These included paintings on the east wall, decorations on the tower ceiling, and the building of the chapter house. A special stained glass window, honoring the Burma Star, was also installed. In 1974, a nearby church, St. Cuthbert's, closed. After that, St. Peter's was also dedicated to Cuthbert of Lindisfarne.
St. Peter's Church Today: A Welcoming Place
Today, St. Peter's Church is an active Anglican Parish Church in the center of Bedford. It works with many other churches and community groups as part of the Bedford Council of Faiths. The church aims to be a welcoming place for everyone. It is a diverse community with people of different backgrounds and ages.
See also
- Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St Cuthbert, original site of St. Cuthbert's Parish Church
