| St Peter's Church, Maidstone | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location within Kent | |
| 51°16′22″N 0°30′58″E / 51.27276°N 0.51601°E | |
| Location | Maidstone, Kent |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Redundant |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 30 July 1951[1] |
| Completed | 13th century[1] |
St Peter's Church, Maidstone is a redundant Anglican church in Maidstone, Kent, England.[1] It is a Grade II* listed building.[1]
Building
St Peter's Church is located between the River Medway, and the Medway Valley line.
The exterior is in a simple, Early English style.[1]
SIn 1395 the hospital was merged with the new foundation of All Saints, Maidstone, although the hospital apparently retained some independence. It became redundant after the Reformation and was sold to Lord Cobham, and the chapel had various secular uses. In 1836 a local architect, Mr John Whichcord, began to restore and enlarged it. It opened in 1837 and was consecrated in 1839, gaining its own parish in 1840.
History
The building started life as the chapel for a hospital (dedicated to SS Peter and Paul called the Newark of Maidstone) for pilgrims crossing the river, travelling to Canterbury. It was founded by Boniface, Archbishop of Canterbury in 1260. Redundant after the Reformation, it was restored and enlarged in 1836-7 by John Whichcord Sr.. The church was restored in 1905, when the north vestry complex was built. It was restored again in 1951.[1][2]
St Michael and All Angels Church, was built to serve Maidstone's rapidly expanding suburbs on the western side of the River Medway after St. Peter's Church was proving to be far too small. St. Peter's Church was also a long way from where the new districts of Westborough and Fant were being built.[3]
The building was converted for secular use in the early 21st century[1], and is currently used as nursery.[4]