Welcome to St Peter's Homepage


home | church history | revd. john white | sunday services | weekday services | church access | church groups | sunday school | the bells | contacts | photos

St Peters - Church History

St Peter's is Dorchester's historic town-centre church (access). The present building dates back to 1454 and has associations with the writers Thomas Hardy and William Barnes, and historical figures such Denzil, Lord Holles, the Earl of Shaftesbury and John White, 'the founder of Massachusetts'.


St Peters - Sunday Services

The main Sunday service is at 10.30am. This is usually Parish Communion using the Common Worship book, with hymns and settings sung by a lively choir. There is a Sunday School in the Hall and a carpeted area at the back of the church with soft toys provided for small children. On the first Sunday of the month it is an All-Age Service with or without Communion. This often features a music group and drama. On the fifth Sunday the service is Sung Mattins. For next Sunday's services see Pews News.

For lovers of the traditional 1666 Book of Common Prayer, there is a well-attended service of Holy Communion at 9.00am and Evensong with a choir every Sunday.

St Peters - Weekday Services

There is a Holy Communion service at 10.00am every Thursday followed by coffee in the hall. A short service of evensong is said in the church every weekday at 4.45pm.

St Peters - Church Access

On Sundays you should be able to find a space in the surrounding streets (North Square, High East Street, High West Street or Trinity Street) or at County Hall. At other times use the nearby town-centre car parks.

Disabled access.
Set down and pick up in the lay-by outside, in front of the County Museum. There are wheelchair ramps available at services and other events. Contact a churchwarden for help.

St Peters - Church Groups

Choir. Practice at 7.00pm Fridays. Vacancies for all voices.
Trebles. Practice at 6.30pm Wednesdays. A lively group with training for the RCCM ribbons, social activities and outings. Contact Jill Minchin.

Bellringers. A ring of eight bells, tenor 21 cwt in E flat. Practice Mondays 7.30-9.00pm. Visitors, experienced ringers and those wishing to learn welcome. Good social group. Tower Captain Nigel Culliford. Tower bookings Felicity Morgan.

Mothers' Union
St Peter's Ladies Group. Meetings alternate Tuesdays 7.30pm
St Peter's Mothers' Union. Meetings alternate Tuesdays 2.30pm
Dorcas Mothers' Union. Evening Meetings
For details of forthcoming meetings see Pews News

Whist Drive
Every Monday 7.15pm in the hall

Prayer and Bible Study Groups
A prayer group meets at 10.30am every Friday in the church. If you have someone or something you would like them to pray for, you can write your request in a book in the Hardye Chapel.
There is a Prayer Breakfast at 8.00am in the Church Hall on the first Saturday of every month.
For details of house groups see Pews News.

Children's and youth groups
Little Fishes
A short service, activities and fellowship for pre-school children and their parents. Once a month at 2pm on Fridays. See Pews News.

Boys' Brigade Tony Day.

St Peters - Sunday School

The Sunday School meets in the church hall at 10.30am during the Parish Communion services. [More details to follow] Details from Lydia Hampshire.

back to home