St. Peter's Churchyard in Caversham, Berkshire

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Get directions Caversham, Berkshire, England

Coordinates: 51.46866, -0.98077
Cemetery ID:

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St. Peter's Church, Caversham dates from 1162 and was given to Notley Abbey, Buckinghamshire by Walter Gifford, Earl of Buckingham. After the dissolution of the monasteries, Christ Church, Oxford became the patron. During the Civil war in 1643, the tower was partially destroyed. It was rebuilt in timber and in 1878 replaced by the present tower. The tower contains a ring of 8 bells; the Fourth bell is the oldest and bears the inscription "Prayes God 1637". Also in 1878, the south Aisle was added and the pulpit slightly rotated to its present alignment. Church plans dating 1857, show that in the north chapel there were two rows of south facing pews; there was an organ and the organist faced east. The plan also shows a gallery at the west end, for 70 children; this was originally built in 1605 as a singers' gallery. The vestry being half its present size when built explains the exterior window facing into it from the east end of Vanderstegen (the north) chapel. The vestry was enlarged to its present size in 1883.

Rectorial rights were restored in 1916. In 1924 the chancel was extended ten feet and the south (Ladychapel) added. The existing three-light east window was moved into this new chapel and a new five-light window installed in the extended sanctuary. In 1987 the present organ was installed.

Todays' church consists of chancel, north and south chapels, north vestry, nave, aisles, south porch and west tower. The 12th Century Purbeck marble font was for many years buried in the Old Rectory garden. The 1663 weathervane is now beside the Altar.

The restored south doorway is twelfth-century, with a small cross on its east jamb.