St Peters - Church History

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

There are more details about particular aspects of the history of St. Peter's Church on the following microsites:

1 The Reverend John White and his Legacy

2 The 1856 Restoration of St Peter's Church

St Peters - Sunday Services

IMPORTANT - The usual Sunday services are as follows. However, particularly at the time of the major festivals, please make sure to check the service times which are listed in Pews News, and on the Diary page.

The main Sunday service is the 10.30am Parish Eucharist (Common Worship of the Church of England) with hymns and settings led by a lively choir, followed by tea or coffee in the Church. This is a well attended service and all are very welcome.  There is a Sunday School in the Hall and a carpeted area at the back of the church provided for small children. For next Sunday's services see Pews News.

For lovers of the traditional Book of Common Prayer, there is a said service of Holy Communion most Sundays at 9am and the ever popular Choral Evensong is sung on the third Sunday of each month.

On special feasts/occasions the 9am and 10.30am services are combined, becoming the 10am Parish Eucharist or 10am Dorchester Benefice Service. Please check notices and/or Pews News and the Diary Page to be certain of arriving on time!

St Peters - Weekday Services

There is a Holy Communion service at 10.00am every Thursday followed by coffee in the hall. Further details are on the Diary Page.

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. Car parking on the street and in town centre car parks is subject to Council regulation. Please check carefully to ensure compliance and payment where necessary.

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 7.15 pm Fridays. Vacancies for all voices. Contact the Choirmaster, or the Vicar

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. Details of the bells, Church Bell Ringing, and the St. Peter's Society of Change Ringers are here. Tower Captain Ted Shuttleworth. 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
Details of forthcoming meetings are here.

Whist Drive
Every Monday 7.15pm in the hall

Prayer 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. 

On Thursdays at St Peter's there is morning prayer at 8:15 am, very short midday prayer at noon, and evening prayer at 5 pm.

Children's and youth groups
see Benefice Groups

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 Janet Cooper.