St. Peter's Church, Stonyhurst

Introduction

Saint Peter's Church in Stonyhurst is a small version of King's College Chapel, Cambridge, opened in 1832 and later consecrated by Bishop Briggs. The church is one of the first Catholic churches built after Emancipation in 1829, in the Gothic Revival Perpendicular style.

History

In 1819 a subscription was opened to finance the building of a new church to replace the Barn Church, and the architect chosen was J.J. Scoles. St Peter's was completed and consecrated in 1835 as the 'Collegiate Church of the Society of Jesus at Stonyhurst. The church was one of the earliest churches to be consecrated in this country since the Reformation. The church has not changed significantly since its foundation, except for some interior decoration and the enlargement of the sanctuary.

In 1893 the present large marble altar was erected to replace the smaller previous altar, which was re-erected in St Joseph's in Hurst Green. During the 2011 refurbishment, masons replaced large expanses of stone eroded by wind and rain, and stained-glass windows were re-leaded and cleaned. The church is a Grade I listed building, listed on 14-Jan-2015.

Music and liturgy

Couples may invite any musicians to play or sing at their wedding, including a choir. Couples may invite any Priest or Deacon in good standing with the Catholic Church to conduct the wedding ceremony.

Weddings may not take place at Stonyhurst on a Sunday. Pre-recorded music may not be played in church.

Parish life

The parish has the oldest Catholic Guild in England, which holds an annual walk to St Peter's church with a silver band and banner to celebrate the Feast of St Peter. The church is shared with the students and staff of Stonyhurst and the prep school St Mary's Hall. On All Soul's Day, Mass is offered in the graveyard chapel of the parish cemetery.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish has a repository stocked with Baptismal gifts, First Holy Communion and Confirmation cards and gifts. The parish has a repository with a selection of statues, medals, rosary beads, mass cards, sympathy cards, crucifixes and other religious articles.