Church of St Peter

Church of St Peter in Ash is the Church of England parish church of the village of Ash, in the Guildford area of Surrey. Its oldest walls date back to around 1170, which makes it one of the longer-standing buildings in the district, and it has been listed at Grade II* by Historic England since 1967.

What is the Church of St Peter in Ash?

It is an active parish church within the Diocese of Guildford. The building you see today grew in stages over several centuries, so its stonework shows medieval, Tudor-era and Victorian phases side by side. It sits in Ash, a village on the western side of the Guildford borough, at roughly 51.249 N, 0.715 W.

How old is the church?

A wooden church stood here already in the Domesday Book period. The Anglo-Saxon landowner Azor is recorded as giving it to the Abbot of Chertsey, in exchange for prayers for his soul.

The stone building has the following main phases:

• around 1170: the south door and the surrounding walls;
• 13th century: parts of the chancel;
• 15th century: the tower;
• 16th century: the south porch;
• 1865: a Victorian restoration, when the north aisle and the north chancel chapel were added.

Who ran the parish?

For centuries Chertsey Abbey held the right to appoint the priest. After the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII, the parish passed to Winchester College through a land exchange in the reign of Edward VI. The college is still the patron today, a link that has lasted for almost five centuries.

Ash became a separate parish from Frimley in 1866. When the Diocese of Guildford was created in 1927, the parish moved to it from the Diocese of Winchester.

What is there to see?

• The exterior. Look at the contrast between the older south side, the 15th-century tower and the Victorian additions on the north.
• The south door. It is among the oldest parts of the building, dating to the 12th century.
• The churchyard. It is closed to new burials under an Act of Parliament of 1982, and its older monuments include chest tombs, one of them listed separately by Historic England.
• The nearby museum. A museum is located in the former cemetery chapel close by. It is known for its stained glass war memorial windows.

Practical tips

• The church is a working place of worship, so be considerate during services.
• Check the parish website for opening times and events before visiting.
• Ash is a short trip from Guildford, and the church combines easily with a walk around the village.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same as the Church of St Peter near Antakya? No. The name is shared by many churches. This one is in Ash, Surrey, England.

Is the church listed? Yes, Historic England lists it at Grade II*.

Who is the patron of the church? Winchester College, a role it has held since the 16th century.

Does the church belong to the Diocese of Guildford? Yes, since the diocese was founded in 1927.