Ah, I see you've made it to St Peter's Church! Just take a look in front of you. It's hard to miss the towering, majestic spire stretching skywards. The church, built of pale stone, stands proudly amidst the city hustle, with arched windows and a large clock facing the street. The structure evokes an air of timelessness and resilience.
St Peter's Church, formally known as The Church of St Peter with St James, carries with it a long and varied history. As one of the three medieval parish churches in Nottingham (the others being St Mary's and St Nicholas), it has witnessed centuries of change. Its origins trace back to around 1100, though the original structure was destroyed by fire and subsequently rebuilt over the following centuries.
This church isn't just a beacon of faith but a custodian of music and community. It boasts an impressive organ and a choir renowned for their enchanting performances. Since 2007, Peter Siepmann has been at the helm as the Organist & Director of Music. The choral tradition here is long and storied, having seen illustrious directors like Vincent Trivett and Kendrick Partington nurture the musical talents that fill this sacred space.
St Peter's offers a regular series of "coffee break" concerts on Saturday mornings, a tradition that started in 1988. It also occasionally hosts evening performances that captivate local audiences. From its 15th-century payments to organists to a rather dramatic clock-related incident in 1846-where a clock face gave way and dragged a worker down with it-the church's history is rich and riveting.
So, as you stand before this monumental church, think of all the echoes of past congregations, musicians, and moments that its walls hold. Hold on to that sense of timelessness as we look forward to our next stop on this adventure.
