St Peter's Chesil, Winchester, Hampshire
N 51° 03.603 W 001° 18.426
30U E 618633 N 5657866
St Peter’s Church once stood outside the City gates serving a bustling community of tradesmen and craftsmen in Chesil Street. The Chesil Theatre now occupies St Peter’s Church
Waymark Code: WM57YM
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 11/25/2008
Views: 18
The tower of St Peter's is 13th century and has a pyramid roof. Other parts of a building are also 13th century. In the 18th century a Dr Earle lived in the house next door now ‘The Soke’. He made special arrangements for his elderly mother to enjoy the services without leaving home by installing an opening about 18 feet from the ground which opened into a small closet in the wall. But by 1897 this had become a source of interruption and the Rector had it bricked up. The church included a 12th century font. The church has no burial ground with parishioners using the cemetery of St Giles on top of the hill.
After WWII the church fell out of use and by 1960 was in danger of falling down. The Winchester Preservation Trust was formed to save this venerable old building. The Diocese of Winchester had no use for the building so the Winchester Dramatic Society accepted the offer of the building rent free but with the responsibility of maintaining the fabric which they still do to this date.
Building Materials: Stone
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Visit Instructions:
Logs for Medieval churches waymark must contain a date found and any details about the visit there. Also photos and other experiences related to the building are welcome.