"Journeying together to share our Christian faith"
On 23rd May 1969, H.M. The Queen approved an Order in Council creating a New Parish as from the 30th May 1969 and the Reverend Phillip Hughes B.A. (Priest-in-Charge) was ultimately made Vicar, the Bishop of Bristol being the Patron. Thus, at long last, what had been working in practice was now made legal and St. Peter's became the Fourth Church of the Chippenham Parishes.
Many thought it wrong to build a new Church in what was "out in the country". However, since that time there has been a vast amount of a new building in the Parish [even more since 1986] and with the influx of younger families the Church now has a congregation covering all ages.
In 1973 a new School was attached to the Church to replace Lowden St. Peter's School. Cooperation between the Church Council and the School Governors and the Head Mistress make possible use of both premises for both Church and School purposes. In the complex is run, the Cubs and Scouts [now merged with the 3rd Chippenham group and who now meet in the Scout Hall in Derriads Lane], Alcoholics Anonymous [who no longer meet here}, Kindergarten, Crèche, Upper Sunday School, Brownies and Guides, and Ladies Guild in the Church Hall. The Ladies have a combined Mother's Union with St. Andrew's. Play Groups are also run on the Church premises and the Church Hall.
There is a small but keen choir [now a Music Group], but a few more men would be welcome. The Organist is Mr J. Robbins and the Choir Leader is Mrs J Robinson. Past Organists (as far as I can ascertain) were
Old St Peter’s
Mr Early, Mrs Blake,
Mr G Dear, Mr E Burgoyne, Mr V Jones, Mrs Allen, Mr Lane, Miss Collett.New St Peter’s
Mr R Spender, Mr D Firth, Mrs A Avery, Mr H Tovery, Mrs J Robinson, Mr J Robbins.
St Peter's is very much a Do-it-Yourself Church. The Choir Robes (Blue) and some surplices and Servers Robes are home made and in 1978 the whole of the Church was re-decorated internally by members of the congregation.
Mr R. Humphries, Mr F. Robinson, Mr M. Nash and Mrs A Hurcum are licensed by the Bishop to administer the Bread and the Wine at Holy Communion.
The Parish has had several Magazines but it was thought that one of a wider appeal should be used; therefore, in 1971 Mr A Scotford started 'The Sun'. This has quite a good circulation in the Parish and contains not only Church notices and news but also matters of local and national importance. It is now run by a Committee who would welcome contributions from anyone. [The "Sun" monthly magazine has been superseded by a quarterly one which is distributed free to every house in the parish]
This page was last updated on 22 February 2007
