Church of St Peter

The Church of St Peter stands on North Hill in Colchester, Essex, in eastern England. It is a medieval parish church that has been altered many times over the centuries and still preserves features from several periods. For anyone interested in local history, it makes a rewarding stop on a walk through the old town centre.

What makes this church special?

It is the only Colchester church named in the Domesday Book, the great survey of landholdings compiled in the late 11th century, and at that time it was the richest church in the county. In 1977 the historians Rodwell and Rodwell suggested that it may have been an Anglo-Saxon minster, pointing to its prominent position and its place in the survey. The surviving building, however, shows no clear Anglo-Saxon masonry, so this remains a theory rather than established fact.

What does the building look like, and how old is it?

Most of today's church dates from the 15th century. The oldest parts are the western bays of the nave and the south aisle, built in the early 1400s. The north aisle was added later in the same century. A central tower originally rose over the building, roughly between the second and third bays of the present arcades.

What happened in the 17th and 18th centuries?

An earthquake struck the region in 1692 and damaged the church. Extensive repairs followed in 1758. During that work the medieval central tower was taken down and a new tower was raised at the west end. Galleries were added inside during the 18th century, and the south gallery followed between 1815 and 1817.

What changed in the 19th century?

The church underwent two partial restorations: one in 1857-9 under Hayward, and another in 1895-6 by the Plymouth firm King & Lister. A clock was fitted to the tower in 1866.

Which details are worth looking for?

• A south door with 13th-century ironwork.
• An early 16th-century charnel house at the north-east corner, known locally as the "bone-hole".
• A pulpit from the late 17th century.
• A font dating from 1859.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the church? On North Hill in the centre of Colchester, Essex, England.

How old is the building? Most of it is 15th century, with later changes in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Is this the same St Peter's as the one in Antioch? No. The dedication is common worldwide, and this church has no connection to the cave church near Antakya in Turkey.

Did the 1692 earthquake affect it? Yes. The tremor damaged the building, and the repairs of 1758 changed the arrangement of its towers.

Is it worth visiting? If you enjoy medieval English architecture, Colchester's history or sites linked to the Domesday Book, it is a good addition to a town walk. Check opening times before you go, as the interior is not always open to visitors.