PETERBOROUGH : CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS
Church Post Code PE1 2UL
Open on Ride and Stride Weekend
As of mid November 2024, the population of Peterborough was estimated to be around 218,000; a rapidly growing city which recorded a figure of 183,600 at the time of the 2011 census. No precise figures were available for 2025 at the time of typing this but it is reasonable to assume that there would be continued growth.
At one point back in time though, Peterborough was the smallest city in the country in terms of population. In 1801 the population was estimated at around 3,500; this rising to nearly 9,000 in 1851 and over 17,000 come 1871 with many moving to the city for work on the railways. Prior to this expansion the church of St John the Baptist close to the cathedral was the parish church for the city of Peterborough; the cathedral being for the monks with the church of St John for the people.
With the rapid increase in population, things had to change and churches were built to cater for the increased number of people. The church of St Mark was opened in 1856 with St Mary following in 1859; this church being demolished and a new church rebuilt in 1991. The church of St Paul, which was known as the ‘Railwayman’s Church’ was built in 1869 with All Saints being built in 1886.
This page is concerned with the church of All Saints, which is roughly a 15 minute walk away from the city centre. Set in to a pleasant part of the city, with the large and prestigious Central Park close by, the church of All Saints was built in a part of Peterborough that was being developed in the 1880’s for middle class housing on land that was donated by the Peterborough Land Company.
There was a need for a church in this developing area and three commissions were submitted with the winning commission coming from Temple Lushington Moore who worked with George Gilbert Scott before setting out on his own. The builder was Alderman John Thompson of Peterborough who also worked with Scott. The church of All Saints was opened on November 1st 1887, a year and a day after the first foundation stone was laid, at a total price of £2,175.
The church opened for worship before building was completed. The main body of the building was completed and consecrated in 1891 with the tower not being completed until 1901. Despite this though, the single bell that hangs here was cast by Taylor of Loughborough in 1887.
All Saints is normally closed to visitors out of service times but was open on the Sunday afternoon on the Ride and Stride weekend in September 2019. After taking in a morning service at St Mark nearer to the city centre; a leisurely lunch was taken before making my way to All Saints, a church that I had never seen inside before.
The church that we see today consists of tower, which is offset to the south east, nave and chancel which are under one continuous roof, south aisle, south chapel, south porch and more modern parish room to the north. The original plans included a tall impressive tower to the north east but plans and costs were scaled back somewhat in reality.
The church was open for the afternoon with friendly and helpful stewards on duty. As with St Paul across the city the initial reaction here is that there is a real Anglo Catholic feel to the interior. There is the carving of the crucifixion, with the Stations of the Cross in the nave and Mary the mother of Jesus as the focal point of the fine east window.
The south arcade is of six bays; there is no chancel arch here with nave flowing in to chancel with a fine oak screen separating the two. An oak screen also separates the south aisle from south chapel. An altar in the shape of a small table is set up there, with a few candles burning to remember loved ones. A painting of the Virgin and Child hangs from the east wall with stained glass in the form of the crucifixion.
Moving in to the ornate and beautifully lit chancel the high altar is plain and simple, with just a cross and two candlesticks. The altar cloth is green, the liturgical colour used for ’Ordinary Time’ the time between the major Christian festivals; which in this case is the period between Easter and Advent.
The finely carved oak reredos is richly carved with a depiction of Christ in Majesty central. This surrounded by smaller scenes depicting the story of Christ, from nativity to breaking bread with the two that he met on the road to Emmaus.
The east window is of five lights and contains stained glass of high quality; with the Anglo Catholic nature of the church here indicated by Mary the mother of Jesus being depicted central. Mary is dressed in her traditional blue; and is holding the baby Jesus; surrounded by a golden pulsating aureole.
They are flanked by St Raphael and St Ariel who are two of God’s 12 Archangels. A close look at Raphael shows that he is carrying a fish. The story behind this is interesting and comes from the Book of Tobit; one of the Apocrypha, books which were rejected when the Bible that we know today was put together.
During this book Tobias, the son of Tobit, unknowingly walks with Raphael who instructs him to gut a fish and save the heart liver and gall for their healing properties. This he does and later rubs the gall on his father’s eyes, restoring his sight.
At the foot of this east window, partially hidden by the reredos we, among others, St Margaret and King David, easily identifiable crowned and playing the harp
The church here has a very fine Stations of the Cross; also known as the Way of the Cross or the Way of Sorrows. These consist of a series of 14 wall mounted images, arranged along a path so that the congregation can process along; stopping in prayer at each station. The series of images have a set order, with this being as follows…
1 .Jesus is condemned to death. 2. Jesus takes up his cross. 3. Jesus falls for the first time. 4. Jesus meets his mother. 5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the cross. 6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. 7. Jesus falls for the second time. 8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem. 9. Jesus falls for the third time. 10. Jesus stripped of his garments. 11. Jesus is nailed to the cross. 12. Jesus dies on the cross. 13. Jesus is taken down from the cross. 14. Jesus is laid in the tomb.
Of the 14 stations, only nine have clear scriptural basis. There is no mention Biblically of Jesus falling, although it does not take a great leap pf faith to suggest that he would have and there is no scriptural reference to Jesus meeting his mother on the way to the cross. Probably the most interesting of the non Biblical station is number 6 where a woman called Veronica wipes the blood and sweat from the face of Jesus, with tradition stating that there was an imprint of his face on the cloth when it was returned.
Other stained glass here includes a three light depiction of the Risen Christ with Mary and Martha. This is a curious window to me in more than one way. I have seen plenty of depictions of Jesus with Mary and Martha before but they are all pretty much the same in format. We have Jesus pre crucifixion at the home of Mary and Martha. Mary sits at the feet of Jesus listening intently to what he is saying. Martha is always busy, always on the move, always doing something. There is often script below from Luke Chapter 10 part of verse 42 which reads ‘Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her’.
Here though it is the risen Christ that meets the sisters; crowned as the King of Heaven, with one hand raised in blessing, wounds visible, with the other hand holding a globe.
Mary is standing here rather than seated and her hair is covered by a shawl. Normally her long hair is shown, with this being a reference to when she anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume, and wiping his feet with her hair. As always though, Martha is depicted in the act of doing something; in this case carrying a jug whilst holding a set of keys.
High up in the tracery of a three light window, we see three golden haired angels, with brightly coloured wings unfurled. The angel at the top holds a chalice with the two below holding banners which read ‘Dominus Deus Sabaoth Sanctus Sanctus Sanctus’ which translates as ‘Lord God of Hosts Holy Holy Holy’.
This is for the most part a late Victorian church; there is though one item of real age here, which can be found to the west end of the nave. This is a ceramic monument which bears the name of the Italian Renaissance sculptor Giovanni della Robbia, who was active during the first quarter of the 16th century.
This features the Virgin and child; again fitting in with the Anglo Catholic feel to the church. Mary wears a cloak of blue and gold, with the Baby Jesus on her knee. Holy men look on the scene from within the arch, which is decorated on the outside with fruit in various stages of decay. Given that some of the fruit is rotting I would take this be a symbol as to the transitory nature of human life. The font is octagonal and has symbols of Christ’s passion alongside rosettes.
It was good to be able to see inside this church for the first time. There was a warm friendly welcome and the person who showed me around obviously had a great love for her church which showed through during the tour. If you do get the chance, the church of All Saints on Park Road is well worth taking a look at.