St. Peter

Introduction

Saint Peter's Church in Bearsted, within the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, was completed in late 1984 and solemnly dedicated on 4 November 1984.

History

After Hillreed Developers bought a former nursery site, a joint application led to planning permission for a church and small housing estate; the ground was consecrated and construction began. The church is named after St Peter, the oldest pre-reformation church in Maidstone, and two ragstone pieces donated by the then-Anglican vicar at St Peters Maidstone were built into the structure.

Architecture and furnishings

John Donlon crafted the original ambo, Len Richardson made the pottery chalices and cruets, a parishioner donated the statue of Our Lady imported from Rome, and the crucifix above the altar was gifted to the parish.

Music and liturgy

The parish band leads music at some Sunday and other Masses. St Peter’s uses the ‘Laudate’ hymn book. A children’s liturgy is held during the Sunday morning Mass at St Peter’s.

Parish life

The Justice and Peace group is an ecumenical group with representatives from St Peter's, Holy Cross, and the Methodist Chapel, meeting three or four times a year. The group organises an annual service for Justice and Peace, rotated between the three churches.

The parish social committee organises three regular annual events: a Christmas draw, a pre-Christmas quiz, and a parish barbecue in early July. The social committee has supported local charities including Make A Difference Maidstone, Women’s Refuge and Slide Away. Children practise songs for the annual Carol service, where they can dress up as Nativity characters.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Confirmation applicants are invited from young people in Year 9 or above to join the Maidstone Deanery Confirmation Programme. Parents contact the parish clergy to discuss having a child baptised.

Visiting

The parish ran a pilgrimage to Lisbon, Fatima and Santiago de Compostela in 2018. The parish ran a pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2014. St Peter's is fully accessible and has a hearing loop.