History

The first church on the site was a Norman one, built in the 11th Century, and was one of forty-nine churches in Lincoln!

This building was so badly damaged in the Civil War during the siege of 1643 that it became almost a ruin. In 1776 the church was pulled down, and a small “mean” church took its place in 1781. This proved inadequate for the larger congregations of Victoria’s reign, and in 1870 the present church was built. The East Window was designed by Ward and Hughes who were responsible for the Victorian glass in the North Aisle of the Cathedral Nave. The entire cost was £2,500. The architect was Sir Arthur Blomfield (to whom the famous novelist and poet, Thomas Hardy, was an architectural assistant until 1869).

In 1914 the south aisle was added to enlarge the church still more. This work has enhanced the architectural interest of St. Peter’s with magnificent stained glass windows. The Rood Screen was added at this time.

The three oldest survivals from the Tudor period are the Parish Registers begun in 1538 (now in the County Archives), an Elizabethan chalice of c. 1569 and the tombstone of a medieval mayor of the city.

Historical Timeline

11th century – that was the first church built of this site.

You might be amazed that a church was built so close to the Cathedral, although it is not the closest. That honour belongs to the former St Margaret-in-the Close church (which was on the square patch of ground just outside the Cathedral’s famous Judgement Door) and St Mary Magdalene on Bailgate.

Sadly, nothing remains of this now (except perhaps some of the stone that was re-used in the later church buildings) because during the Civil War the church was dismantled and stripped of its furnishings so that it could not be used as a base for troops. It remained in ruins for over a century.

1781

A second church was built and the parishes of St. Peter and St Margaret-in-the-Close were united together. This was quite a simple building and the people decided they wanted something a bit more special so…

1870

A third church was built which forms the heart of the building as it is today. Designed by prominent Victorian architect Arthur Blomfield and built by Messrs. Otter & Binns of Lincoln at a cost of just £2.5000 (much raised by local subscriptions). It could seat nearly 500 people including the choir. Another well-known Victorian,  Mr. Bodley ARA, was commissioned to decorate the church. Some of his decoration can still be seen in the chancel. It was consecrated on 29th June (St. Peters Day) 1882

1914

The large South aisle, with its dramatic windows, the west porch and the choir vestry were all added. This was through the generosity of local businessman Alfred Shuttleworth. The Nave ceiling was enclosed as a barrel roof, the Rood Screen with its depiction of the crucifixion was erected and St. Margaret’s Chapel in the south aisle was dedicated (by now St Margaret’s church had been demolished).

2009

The pews were removed and sold, and now grace a number of local homes. They were replaced by quality oak chairs and the church developed the look it retains today. It now also has an excellent kitchen and toilets making it both more useful and flexible for a wide range of activities during the week as well as worship Sundays and Wednesdays. A lot of audio-visual equipment was added to support our worship.

Around this time worship began on the Carlton estate on the north edge of the city. The congregation met first in the local pub (The Lincolnshire Poacher) then the school.

2015

Changes meant that Carlton was created as a new parish, a new St Peter’s, linked with Eastgate but reaching out into its own community.

2020

COVID struck and the church went online.

Today

While ‘in person’ worship has been restored in Eastgate every Sunday (and now Carlton on the first Sunday in the month) online worship continues. The church is not a building, fine as St Peter’s is, but the people who meet together to worship.