Parish Church of St Peter

Parish Church of St Peter in Belgrave is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the north of Leicester, England. Once the heart of a separate village, it now stands within the city's built-up area and shows nine centuries of English church architecture in a single site.

Where is St Peter's Church?

The church stands on Church Road in Belgrave, a district of Leicester. Belgrave began as an independent village and was gradually swallowed up by the city as it grew in the late 19th century. The church is the main reminder of that earlier rural settlement.

How old is the church?

Local heritage sources trace the building back to the 11th century and call it the oldest structure in the former village. The official listing from Historic England is more cautious. It points to the lower stages of the tower and a re-set south doorway as the surviving parts of a 12th-century church. The two accounts differ on the precise starting date, but both agree that the oldest fabric is Norman or very early medieval.

How did the building change over time?

The church grew in stages, which is typical of English parish churches:

• 13th century: aisles were added to widen the nave.
• 14th century: the chancel was enlarged.
• 15th century: a clerestory, a row of upper windows, brought more light into the nave.

The tower originally carried a wooden spire, recorded as still present in 1824. A south porch followed in 1826, and a north porch was built in 1911.

Who restored it?

The 19th century was a time of heavy Victorian restoration. Work took place in 1860, between 1861 and 1867, and again in 1877. The architects named in connection with these campaigns are Ewan Christian, William Gillett and George Gilbert Scott, the last being one of the best known church architects of the period.

Why is it protected?

The church is listed Grade II*, a category reserved for particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Its value lies in the mix of medieval fabric from several centuries with later Victorian alterations.

What is its place in local history?

For centuries the church was the centre of both religious and civic life in Belgrave. Belgrave is also described by some writers as a birthplace of the Roman Catholic revival in Leicester, which adds a further layer to the story of the neighbourhood.

Can you visit it today?

The church was declared redundant and closed for regular worship in 2010. Its later use and ownership have been uncertain, so interior access should not be assumed. Check current information before planning a visit. The exterior, including the tower, porches and the overall silhouette of the building, can usually be admired from the street.

Frequently asked questions

Is St Peter's Church in Belgrave still used for services? No. It was declared redundant and closed in 2010.

What period is the oldest part of the church? Historic England identifies the lower tower and the south doorway as 12th-century work, while local heritage sources place the origins in the 11th century.

Is the church a listed building? Yes, it is listed Grade II*.

Who worked on the Victorian restoration? Ewan Christian, William Gillett and George Gilbert Scott are named for the 19th-century works.

What is Belgrave? A district in the north of Leicester that was a separate village until the city expanded around it in the late 1800s.