PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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CHURCH OF SAINT PETER THE APOSTLE
The Anglican Church of Saint Peter the Apostle is situated in Wyndham Square, Plymouth. Its green copper-capped tower is easily visible from many parts of the City.
An aerial view of the Church of Saint Peter the Apostle
Following an Act of Parliament in 1843, the Bishop of Exeter, Doctor Henry Phillpotts, decided that there was a need in Plymouth for three new parishes to make better provision for the spiritual care of the neighbourhood. The population of the parish of Saint Andrew's was 23,564 in 1841 and it was increasing all the time. As a result, in 1847 the new parishes of Saint Peter's, Saint James the Less and Saint John the Evangelist were set up, the latter being created from the parish of Charles. [1]
From a postcard. The first incumbent of Saint Peter's, the Reverend Edward Godfrey, acquired the empty building known as the Eldad Chapel in Wyndham Square. This had originally been opened in 1830 by the admirers of the Reverend J Hawker, the sturdy Protestant curate at Stoke Damerel Church, and the son of the famous vicar of Plymouth's Charles Church. Hawker left the Church of England after 30 years and Eldad Chapel was built so he might continue preaching to his followers. It was purchased from the trustees for £3,550, including the fittings. [2] Mr Godfrey resigned in May 1848 after only six months and it was left to the Reverend George Rundle Prynne, appointed on August 16th 1848, to fit up and re-open the Chapel as Saint Peter's Church in the November of that year. [2]
Immediately the young vicar started to make alterations to make the Church more attractive and acceptable. By 1850 a chancel designed by Mr George E Street had been added to the old Chapel building and the Church was consecrated on October 5th 1850 by the Bishop of Exeter, Doctor Phillpotts. As the Reverend Prynne was the first Puseyite clergyman at Plymouth, he met with much violent opposition and police protection had to be provided on the day of the consecration although it turned out to be unnecessary. It was subsequently alleged that the Reverend Doctor Pusey himself was present at the event under the assumed name of Doctor Grey. [1] After that he started to work on the creation of Saint Peter's Parochial School. [1] A Mission Chapel, the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, was opened in Octagon Street in 1862. [1] In due course the Reverend Prynne's son, the Reverend George Fellowes Prynne, added the nave and a morning chapel, which were consecrated on February 1st 1882. The church is of native limestone in the Early English style. It has a Lady Chapel, south porch and a huge copper-capped western tower, the spire of which was completed in 1906. [3]
Two views of the Lady Chapel at Saint Peter's
Church, Plymouth. There is a mural painting in memory of the Reverend George R Prynne, the vicar here for 55 years. He died on March 25th 1903. [2] During the incumbency of the Reverend George Bernard Hardy, the welfare work amongst the poor of the parish was expanded. In 1921 a soup kitchen was provided in Octagon Street and the Saint Peter’s Rest for the care of destitute women and girls was opened in Rendle Street. A Retreat \House was opened for men in Wyndham Square and in 1923 the Saint Peter’s Hostel for men was opened in King Street. [2] Second World War Saint Peter’s Church was destroyed by enemy action during a six-hour air raid on the night of April 21st 1941. The Sisters of Saint Dunstan’s Abbey came to the rescue and offered the use of a hall in Wyndham Street East which became known as Little Saint Peter’s. Once the worst of the hostilities had ended the population of the parish once again increased as evacuees returned and the Hall-Church became overcrowded. It took some time to get permission to make alterations to the hall but on June 28th 1944 it was re-opened for worship. [2] Reconstruction Mr (later Sir) Frederick Etchells was engaged to design the restoration of Saint Peter’s. [2] Much of the cost of the work was borne by the War Damage Commission although the congregation had to raise about £15,000. [4] At 3pm on Saturday October 20th 1956 the Bishop of Exeter, Doctor R C Mortimer, arrived at the west door of the Church and after striking the door three times with his staff, was admitted into the crowded Church by the Vicar of Saint Peter’s, the Reverend John F Tickner. [4] Also present at the ceremony were the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Plymouth, Mr & Mrs W J Oats; Brigadier A C E Deveraux, Officer Commanding Troops at Plymouth; Miss Joan Vickers MP; and the Reverend A H Couratin, representing the patrons of the living. [4] During the service the brand new electric organ, which had been installed at a cost of £5,000, was played by Mr E W G Stoakes, who had been the Church’s organist since 1919. It was considered to be one of the best organs in Plymouth at that time. [4] High Mass was conducted by the Bishop of Exeter on Sunday October 21st 1956, after which many of the congregation attended a parish breakfast in the Saint Peter’s School Hall. [4] During 2007 Saint Peter's Church underwent a reorganisation and redecoration. There are excellent pictures of the new interior at www.hmad.co.uk/stpeterschurch/ and at www.flickr.com/search/?q=st+peter%27s+church+plymouth. Sources:
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