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St Peter's Church, Hargrave
St Peter's Church, Hargrave.jpg
St Peter's Church, Hargrave, from the south
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OS grid reference SJ 485,622
Location Hargrave, Cheshire
Country England
Denomination Anglican
Website https://www.stpetershargrave.org.uk/
History
Status Parish church
Dedication Saint Peter
Architecture
Functional status Active
Heritage designation Grade II*
Designated 1 March 1967
Architect(s) John Douglas
Architectural type Combined chapel and school
Groundbreaking 1627
Completed 1890
Specifications
Materials Ashlar red sandstone
Red tile roof
Administration
Parish St Peter, Hargrave
Deanery Malpas
Archdeaconry Chester
Diocese Chester
Province York

St Peter's Church is a special old building located in Hargrave, a village in Cheshire, England. It's listed as a Grade II* building, which means it's very important historically and architecturally. It's also an active Anglican parish church, serving the local community.

History of the Church

This church was first built in 1627. It wasn't just a church; it was also a school! A man named Thomas Moulson paid for it. He grew up in Hargrave.

Thomas Moulson moved to London and became a very successful grocer. He even became a Member of Parliament and later the Lord Mayor of London in 1634. Before he passed away in 1638, he made sure there was money to keep the church and school running.

In 1812, the building stopped being used as a school. Over time, the church started to look a bit neglected. So, between 1878 and 1890, a big restoration project took place. This means the church was repaired and improved. The first Duke of Westminster helped pay for it, giving £200 out of the £600 total cost. The architect John Douglas is credited with this restoration, which also added a vestry (a room used by clergy).

What the Church Looks Like

Outside the Church

St Peter's Church is made from red sandstone blocks, called ashlar, and has a red tile roof. It has a long main section, called the nave and chancel, all in one part. There's also a vestry and a porch on the south side.

At the west end of the church, there's a small tower for a bell. It also has a clock on its south and west sides. The windows are square-shaped and have stone bars across them, called transoms.

The porch has fancy stone decorations from the Jacobean period. There's also a stone panel from 1774. This panel shows the coat of arms of the Moulson family and tells about Thomas Moulson founding the church.

Inside the Church

The church has a special type of roof called a hammerbeam roof, which was built in 1774. This roof survived the big restoration. However, most of the old furniture and fittings were removed. Only the eight-sided font (where baptisms take place) was kept.

The church's parish registers, which record births, marriages, and deaths, go all the way back to 1631. The reredos (a decorated screen behind the altar) was designed by John Douglas.

Around the Church

In the churchyard, which is the area around the church, you can find two war graves. These are the graves of soldiers who died during World War I.

Images for kids

See also

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