800th Birthday Celebrations

St Peter’s church on the High Street in Berkhamsted celebrates its 800th birthday this year with a programme of  activities to which all the community is invited.

The church has witnessed the Crusades; Royalist soldiers being imprisoned inside during the Civil War; a cannon  being hoisted onto the roof and fired to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of King George III; two World Wars – including soldiers arriving at Kitchener’s field to train at the trenches; the growth of a bustling market town; being instrumental in the creation of The Hospice of St Francis; welcoming HM The Queen Elizabeth II in 2016 to unveil a  plaque and so many life events – baptisms, marriages and funerals – for past and current residents of our growing town.

The plans for this year’s 800th celebrations are well under way and a full programme should be published shortly  with events starting in April. Highlights will include an exhibition in church by the Berkhamsted Local History  society, a series of talks in May on the past and future of Berkhamsted, celebrations during the last week of June, a photography competition and lots more. St Peter’s will be raising funds throughout the year to preserve the church  building for future generations to enjoy and to support local charities. All donations will be gratefully received.

Find out more at www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk/800 or by following @StPetersBerkhamsted on social media.  Local organisations and businesses interested in getting involved should contact rector Stuart Owen on  fr.stuart@gmail.com.

Read our local history feature for more about the church, its history, and past celebrations.

Anniversary events

Post Easter – 800th display with Berkhamsted Local History and Museum Society in the church
Sun 1 May – May Madrigals sung from the top of the Tower at 6am

800th Talk Series

10 May: History of St Peter’s – Christopher Green
17 May: Berkhamsted in 100 years’ time – Peter Matthews and Suzie Imber
Sat 25 June: Bridgewater Sinfonia Concert 800 years of Music
Sun 26 June: Patronal Festival Day