St Peter's Church, Dorchester
St Peter's Church | |
---|---|
Religion | |
Affiliation | Church of England |
Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Active |
Location | |
Location | Dorchester, Dorset, England |
Geographic coordinates | 50°42′56″N 2°26′12″W / 50.7155°N 2.4368°W |
Architecture | |
Type | Church |
St Peter's Church is a Church of England church in Dorchester, Dorset, England.[1] The majority of the church dates from the 15th century, with later alterations and extensions over the following centuries. The church has been a Grade I listed building since 1950.[2]
History
St Peter's is built of
In 1855–1856, the church underwent restoration, which included rebuilding the eastern end of the church and adding the north vestry.[3] The gallery at the west end was removed and the organ loft relocated to the north aisle. The existing pews were replaced with open seats of deal and the reading pews replaced by a reading desk and lectern of oak. The architect and supervisor of the work was John Hicks of Dorchester, a pupil of whom was Thomas Hardy, and the builder John Wellspring of West Fordington.[4] Work began in August 1855 and the church reopened for worship on 10 July 1856. During the period of its closure, Divine service was held in Dorchester's town hall.[5]
The church underwent further restorations in the 20th century, including 1905, 1934, and 1961–1965, and the chancel was refurnished in 1894–1897.[3] Internal features of note include two 14th-century effigies of recumbent knights in the south chapel, a 14th-century tomb chest in the chancel, the early 17th-century sarcophagus of Sir John and Lady Williams of Winterborne Herringston in the north chapel, and the late 17th-century monument with effigy of Denzil Holles in the north aisle. The reredos in the chancel was created in 1894–1897 by Charles Ponting.[2]
Gordon Memorial
From 1774 until 2023, the church contained a memorial plaque for John Gordon, an 18th century plantation owner who helped to suppress a
References
- ^ "Dorchester: St Peter". A Church Near You. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ a b "CHURCH OF ST PETER. RAILINGS ON EAST AND SOUTH SIDES OF CHURCHYARD, Dorchester – 1119031". Historic England. 8 May 1950. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ a b c "Dorchester | British History Online". British-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ Dorset County Chronicle – Re-opening of St Peter's Church – 17 July 1856 – page 5
- ^ The Salisbury and Winchester Journal – Dorchester: Restoration of St Peter's Church – 12 July 1856 – page 3
- ^ "How a slaver's memorial ended up in a Dorset church". BBC News. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
- ^ "John Gordon plaque to be removed from Dorchester church". BBC News. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
- ^ "Racist memorial to slaver John Gordon removed from Dorset church". BBC News. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
External links
- Media related to St Peter's Church, Dorchester at Wikimedia Commons
- Dorchester & The Winterbournes Team Ministry website