Standing proudly at the head of Market Hill in the heart of Sudbury, St Peter’s has a wealth of heritage, dating back to the 14th Century.
In March 1971 St. Peter’s was declared redundant as a church and is now no longer a place of worship. This beautiful, Grade I listed building and former Anglican church is currently maintained and managed by registered charity the Friends of St Peter’s, and national charity the Churches Conservation Trust.
St Peter’s is maintained with the aim of:
“Preserving the building and providing facilities in the interest of social welfare for the recreation and leisure time occupation of the inhabitants of Sudbury and district”
All those involved with St Peter’s uphold the aims of preserving the heritage of the building, whilst ensuring it is used and maintained for years to come.
Read below for key dates in the history of St Peter’s, or take a look at our more detailed history packs, written by our Heritage Officer, Roger Green.
Detailed History Packs
Key Dates in the History of St Peter’s
1180
A PREVIOUS CHURCH ON THE SITE WAS MENTIONED, BUT THE BUILDING THAT WE SEE TODAY GREW SLOWLY DURING THE 14TH AND 15TH CENTURIES, FUNDED BY THE LOCAL GUILDS AND TOWNSFOLK.
1376
PERHAPS THE FINEST GLORY OF THE BUILDING EXTERNALLY IS THE SUPERB TOWER. IN A WILL DATED 1376, REFERENCE IS MADE TO HANGING THE GREAT BELL IN ST. PETER’S CHAPEL.
1874
THE FIRST CLOCK WAS MADE BY HENRY PLEASANT, THE LOCAL BELL FOUNDER. THE PRESENT FOUR-FACED CLOCK USES THE MECHANISM INSTALLED BY MESSRS. GILLETT AND BLAND OF CROYDON IN 1874. IT IS THE THIRD CLOCK TO BE INSTALLED IN THE TOWER AND IS NOW DRIVEN ELECTRICALLY.
1971
ST. PETER’S WAS DECLARED REDUNDANT AS A CHURCH. SO CAME INTO BEING THE FRIENDS OF ST. PETER, A REGISTERED CHARITY, WITH THE TWO AIMS OF PRESERVING THE BUILDING AND PROVIDING FACILITIES IN THE INTEREST OF SOCIAL WELFARE FOR THE RECREATION AND LEISURE TIME OCCUPATION OF THE INHABITANTS OF SUDBURY AND DISTRICT.
1976
ON 29TH MAY, 1976 THE BUILDING WAS VESTED TO THE BODY NOW KNOWN AS THE CHURCHES CONSERVATION TRUST WITH THE FRIENDS ACTING AS LOCAL AGENTS. THE CHURCHES CONSERVATION TRUST, WITH SUPPORT FROM THE FRIENDS, HAS SPENT MANY THOUSANDS OF POUNDS IN MAINTAINING THE FABRIC OF THE CHURCH WHICH HAS ENABLED THIS BEAUTIFUL AND HISTORIC BUILDING TO REMAIN STANDING AT THE HEART OF THE TOWN.
