St Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Woolwich facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Peter's Church
RC Church of St Peter the Apostle
View from Woolwich New Road of the church and the presbytery
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OS grid reference	TQ4358178612
Location	Woolwich, London
Country	UK
Denomination	Catholic
Website	stpeterswoolwich.church
History
Status	Church
Founded	26 October 1842
Founder(s)	Rev. Cornelius Coles
Dedication	Saint Peter the Apostle
Dedicated	26 October 1843
Consecrated	1944
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade II
Designated	8 June 1973
Architect(s)	Augustus Pugin (enlarged by Frederick Walters)
Style	Gothic Revival
Completed	1843 (enlarged 1889)
Administration
Deanery	Greenwich
Archdiocese	Southwark
Province	Southwark

St Peter's Church is a Catholic church located in Woolwich, South East London. You can find it between Woolwich New Road and Brookhill Road. The main entrance is on Woolwich New Road. This beautiful church was designed by Augustus Pugin in 1841–42. It was built in the Gothic Revival style, which means it looks like churches from the medieval Gothic period. St Peter's is special because it's one of only three churches in London designed by Pugin. His original plan included a tall tower and spire, but these were never built. The church serves the Catholic community in Woolwich and nearby areas. It is part of the Archdiocese of Southwark.

Discover the History of St Peter's Church

How Catholics Came to Woolwich

In the late 1700s and early 1800s, Catholics in Britain and Ireland gained more freedom. This was thanks to something called Catholic emancipation. It allowed them to worship openly and build their own schools and churches.

The first Catholic community in Woolwich mostly helped Catholic prisoners. These prisoners were held on old ships called prison hulks in the River Thames. Many poor families and Irish soldiers also joined the community.

At first, they used a small chapel in Greenwich. Then, in 1816, they started using a chapel in Sun Alley in Woolwich. By this time, the Woolwich group had its own priest, Father James Delaney. In 1818, an old Methodist chapel was reopened for Catholic worship. It could hold 400 people. A Catholic school was also started ten years later.

In 1838, a young priest named Cornelius Coles came to Woolwich. His main job was to build a new church for the growing number of Catholics. By 1841, about 3,000 Catholics lived in the area. He also wanted a school for their children.

Building the Church: A New Beginning

In February 1841, the Board of Ordnance gave land for the new church for free. This land was on Woolwich New Road. In September of that year, Augustus Pugin was chosen to design the church. Pugin was a famous architect (1812-1852). He was also working on St George's Cathedral, Southwark at the same time.

The first stone of the church was laid on October 26, 1842. This was a big moment! It was the first time in London that such a ceremony happened openly since the Reformation. Before this, similar events were often kept secret. Many Irish soldiers attended the ceremony in Woolwich, which gave the community confidence.

Local builder George Myers constructed the church in 1842-43. He used yellow London stock brick with Bath stone for details. The roofs were made of slate. Because money was limited, the church was built in stages. The design had to be simple. It didn't have a transept or clerestory windows. The first part, the nave and aisles, cost £4,000.

Pugin also designed the sacristy and the priest's house (called a presbytery) in 1845–46. The Lady Chapel was added in 1850. In 1858, Pugin's son, Edward Welby Pugin, built the school. The chancel and south chapel were added later, in 1887-89. These parts were designed by Scottish architect Frederick Walters, following Pugin's style.

Recent Times for the Church

In May 2019, St Peter's Church became part of a special conservation area. This means the area is protected because of its historical importance. The Woolwich Conservation Area includes parts of Woolwich New Road, where St Peter's is located.

Exploring the Buildings of St Peter's

Church Exterior: What You See Outside

The most noticeable thing about the outside of the church is that it's missing a tower. Pugin had planned a tower on the south-west side. He liked designs that weren't perfectly balanced. The sides of the church have stepped buttresses, which are supports built into the walls.

The south entrance has more detailed decorations. The main entrance on the west side is smaller and simpler. Both the east and west ends of the church have large windows with fancy stone patterns called tracery. Other windows are smaller.

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  Side view from the south-west

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  Close-up of the west side, facing Woolwich New Road

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  The south entrance

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  The chancel and south chapel from Brookhill Road

Church Interior: Inside the Church

The inside of the church has six sections. It uses a style called "decorated Gothic," popular around the year 1300. The roof is steeply angled. There are no upper galleries or windows high up, which makes the church a bit dark. To make it brighter, the inside has been painted white and mint green.

The front part of the nave (the main area where people sit) has a wooden and glass wall. This creates a porch area with two side rooms. One is a small chapel, and the other is a church shop. Between the nave and the side aisles, pointed arches rest on pillars.

The main area is simple, but the chancel (the area near the altar) is much richer. It has the original altar from the 1840s. The stone screen behind the altar, called a reredos, is also very detailed. Pugin had planned a screen for the choir, but it was never built.

The Lady Chapel, added in 1850, is smaller than Pugin planned. However, it has its original altar, reredos, and beautiful tiles by Mintons. It also features a stained glass window by Hardman & Co.. The chancel itself was built later, between 1887 and 1890. The large east window was designed by Pugin. Its stained glass was made in 1909. After the Second Vatican Council (1962–65), some changes were made. The pulpit and altar rails were removed, and a new altar was added closer to the people.

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  Looking towards the east inside the church

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  The chancel and the main altar

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  The Chapel of Our Lady

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  The porch area and church shop

Presbytery and School Buildings

The original presbytery (the priest's house) was designed by Pugin around 1842. It's a small, well-proportioned brick building. In 1870, a much larger building was added next to it. This new part was designed by John Crawley. It included a music room at the back, which later connected to the church's sacristy.

The school building is to the south of the church. It was designed by E. W. Pugin in 1858. Both the front and back of this building have been changed over time. A separate school for younger children was built in 1871, also altered later. The first school building is now the parish hall, called St Peter's Centre. The second building is currently empty.

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  The presbytery designed by Pugin

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  The newer presbytery and 'music room' from Brookhill Road

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  The former school building from Woolwich New Road

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  The former infant school from Brookhill Road