St Peter's Church, Old Woking facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Peter's Church |
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| St Peter's | |
St Peter's Church, Old Woking
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 St Peter's Church
Location in Surrey
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| 51°18′06″N 0°32′14″W / 51.30167°N 0.53722°W | |
| Location | Woking |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | St Peter's website |
| History | |
| Founded | 7th-century (first church) |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architectural type | Norman, English Gothic |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Peter Woking |
| Diocese | Guildford |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Peter's Church is a very old church located in Old Woking, Surrey, England. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book, a famous survey from 1086. This church is special because it has the oldest door in Surrey. It also has one of the oldest doors in the entire British Isles!
Contents
History of St Peter's Church
St Peter's Church is a very important old building. It is a Grade I listed building, which means it has special historical value. It was once the main church for the area of Woking. Later, a new town grew up around the railway station, and that became known as Woking. The original village then became "Old Woking".
Early Beginnings in Old Woking
The Domesday Book from 1086 mentions a church in "Wochinges," which was an old name for Woking. Records show that a church, or "minster," was first built here in the year 675. A minster was an early type of church or monastery. It was dedicated to St Peter.
Building the Church: Different Parts and Styles
A new church was built in the Norman style during the time of William I of England. This Norman church replaced an even older wooden church from the 7th century. The Norman church was a simple rectangular building, about 50 feet long.
Surviving Norman Walls
Today, only the north and west walls of that first Norman church are still standing. They are now part of the main area of the church, called the nave. The original east wall was removed later to make space for a new section, called the south aisle, built in the 14th or early 15th century.
The Church Tower
The church tower is at the west end of the nave. The bottom part of the tower was built between 1200 and 1220. It is made from flint and a special type of rock called puddingstone. The top part of the tower was finished around 1340.
The Ancient Door of St Peter's
The church's west door is very old and comes from the original Norman church. It used to be at the front of the church. Now, it opens into a small entrance area at the bottom of the tower. This door is the oldest in Surrey. It is also thought to be the third oldest door in the whole country!
How Old is the Door?
Scientists used a method called dendrochronology to find out the door's age. This method studies tree rings. They found that the door was made during the reign of Henry I of England. The four oak planks that make up the door might have come from just one tree. This tree was over 270 years old when it was cut down!
Unique Features of the Door
A researcher named Jane Geddes from the University of Aberdeen has studied the door. She says it is one of only five "picture doors" in the country. This means it has special designs. The metalwork on the door is also very old, from the medieval period.
The Zouche Gallery
Inside the church, at the west end of the nave, there is a special balcony area called the Zouche Gallery. This gallery was built in 1622. It was paid for by a person named Sir Edward Zouch during the time of James I of England.
Visiting St Peter's Church
St Peter's Church often has open days on Saturdays during the warmer months. On these days, you can visit and explore the church. Sometimes, it is even possible to go up to the top of the tower, but this is only allowed on certain days due to safety rules. During open days, tours are often available to help you learn more about the church's history.
See also
