Earliest records of our Church date from the thirteenth Century. The Chancel is from this period; the tower, chancel arches, and the nave of four bays are from the fourteenth Century. The tower was rebuilt or altered in the fifteenth Century and the font dates from the sixteenth Century so we are a mix of different Centuries!
Our Church seats approximately 200 in the nave with additional seating in the choir stalls and we are one of the larger churches in the group. We had major works in 2014/2015 including electrical and improvements on our heating. I
We have a regular Communion service at 9.00 am on the second Sunday of each month and an Evensong on the fourth Sunday of each month - this is at 6.00 pm in Summer time and moves to 3.00 pm over the Winter. Like other parishes, we also have special services at different times in the Church calendar. You are welcome to any of our services and we would love to see you.
Coming up at Stetchworth:
KNITTED BIBLE: Exciting news! We will be displaying the Knitted Bible at Stetchworth church – dates not firmed up yet, but expected to be late June/July. There are many different bible scenes all created with knitted figures and a printed explanation by each scene. Once we know exactly when we can display this, we will organise a coffee morning, perhaps an afternoon tea so that people may enjoy some refreshment when they visit to view the exhibition.
Our fund raising events planned for 2025:
6th July - The Village Show at the Ellesmere Centre and field - we will have our usual stalls - Tombola, Cakes and preserves, St. Peter's Challenge and also selling draw tickets
20th July - Open gardens in Dullingham and Stetchworth - we will be serving teas in Stetchworth churchyard
11th October - Our Annual Quiz at the Ellesmere Centre
6th December - Christmas Tree festival
KNITTED BIBLE: Exciting news! We will be displaying the Knitted Bible at Stetchworth church – dates not firmed up yet, but expected to be late June/July. There are many different bible scenes all created with knitted figures and a printed explanation by each scene. Once we know exactly when we can display this, we will organise a coffee morning, perhaps an afternoon tea so that people may enjoy some refreshment when they visit to view the exhibition.
Our fund raising events planned for 2025:
6th July - The Village Show at the Ellesmere Centre and field - we will have our usual stalls - Tombola, Cakes and preserves, St. Peter's Challenge and also selling draw tickets
20th July - Open gardens in Dullingham and Stetchworth - we will be serving teas in Stetchworth churchyard
11th October - Our Annual Quiz at the Ellesmere Centre
6th December - Christmas Tree festival
Church Works - 2024
In 2024 ,we embarked upon two refurbishment projects :-
1. To remove the hard render from the exterior of the chancel, vestry and organ loft and replace with breathable material, either render, harling or heavy grouting depending upon the state of the walls after the render has been removed. Also the remove the damaged plaster from the interior of the walls, replaster and re-decorate.
2. To repair the walls and windows of the tower.
Work was completed in late 2024 and we had a celebratory service which was taken by the Archdeacon of Cambridge, Alex Hughes in February 2025.
We took photographs of the work and journey to completion and have now added some of the competed work which looks amazing!
In 2024 ,we embarked upon two refurbishment projects :-
1. To remove the hard render from the exterior of the chancel, vestry and organ loft and replace with breathable material, either render, harling or heavy grouting depending upon the state of the walls after the render has been removed. Also the remove the damaged plaster from the interior of the walls, replaster and re-decorate.
2. To repair the walls and windows of the tower.
Work was completed in late 2024 and we had a celebratory service which was taken by the Archdeacon of Cambridge, Alex Hughes in February 2025.
We took photographs of the work and journey to completion and have now added some of the competed work which looks amazing!
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Cambridgeshire Churchyard Conservation Award Scheme: We have just heard that we have been awarded a Bronze award under this scheme. The churchyard suffered somewhat in 2024 with a builder's compound to store materials and the portaloo and scaffolding on the grass round the chancel and the tower. However, it is recovering well - we had a good show of snowdrops followed by daffodils and now lots of primroses. We are now working towards the silver award.
Unstable gravestones: To comply with Health and Safety Regulations, The PCC has now had the older unstable stones (where no relations are now available to tend to them) repaired and stabilised. Thank you to those families who looked after their own family stones. The PCC carries out an annual check on all gravestones. If you are tending a grave please check it from time to time and ensure that it does not develop a 'wobble'. In the closed churchyard, the Parish Council has had unstable gravestone stabilised and some that had been leaning at an angle have been straightened up.
Adopt-a-grave On the same theme, PCC members wondered whether there is anyone in the village with a bit of spare time who might like to look after some of the older graves that have kerbs around and are no longer tended. The surrounding area can be mown but the area within the kerb has to be strimmed or cut with shears separately
All our Churches rely on donations to support both their upkeep and mission. We are grateful for donations in church or they can be made directly into our bank account:
Parochial Church Council of St. Peter Stetchworth
Sort code: 20 60 38
Account number: 80841595
Cambridgeshire Churchyard Conservation Award Scheme: We have just heard that we have been awarded a Bronze award under this scheme. The churchyard suffered somewhat in 2024 with a builder's compound to store materials and the portaloo and scaffolding on the grass round the chancel and the tower. However, it is recovering well - we had a good show of snowdrops followed by daffodils and now lots of primroses. We are now working towards the silver award.
Unstable gravestones: To comply with Health and Safety Regulations, The PCC has now had the older unstable stones (where no relations are now available to tend to them) repaired and stabilised. Thank you to those families who looked after their own family stones. The PCC carries out an annual check on all gravestones. If you are tending a grave please check it from time to time and ensure that it does not develop a 'wobble'. In the closed churchyard, the Parish Council has had unstable gravestone stabilised and some that had been leaning at an angle have been straightened up.
Adopt-a-grave On the same theme, PCC members wondered whether there is anyone in the village with a bit of spare time who might like to look after some of the older graves that have kerbs around and are no longer tended. The surrounding area can be mown but the area within the kerb has to be strimmed or cut with shears separately
All our Churches rely on donations to support both their upkeep and mission. We are grateful for donations in church or they can be made directly into our bank account:
Parochial Church Council of St. Peter Stetchworth
Sort code: 20 60 38
Account number: 80841595
Some additional village links which might interest you:
- Our village website via this link
- The Parish Council - you can find information about our Parish Council including meeting minutes and contact details
- The Ellesmere Centre
- The Ellesmere Garden Club
- Stetchworth Community Archive
Christmas Tree Festival and BEM Presentation
Thank you to everyone that supported this event - it was amazing to see so many people there to support and honour Lily's achievement - some photos below and more on our gallery pages:
Thank you to everyone that supported this event - it was amazing to see so many people there to support and honour Lily's achievement - some photos below and more on our gallery pages:
