For at least nine centuries a church has stood on this spot as a place for the community, whether it be congregations, lovers of music and the arts or model train enthusiasts! Now St Peter’s by the Waterfront hosts local organisations for musical evenings, theatre performances, meetings, exhibitions plus national and international acts.
As a church, St Peter’s served a large parish and the mariners who came into a port bustling with activity during the middle ages, first, probably as a building made of wood then on to a stone made building, which formed part of the Augustinian Priory of St Peter and St Paul during the late 12th century.
It is at this time that the magnificent Tournai Marble font, with its enormous bowl and prowling lions came to St Peter’s. One of only 10 in England and made from a type of limestone from around the town of Tournai in Belgium.
Fast forward to the Tudor period and St Peter’s gains prominence as Ipswich’s greatest son Cardinal Thomas Wolsey closes the Priory to use the church as the chapel to his College of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
You can find out much more about the history of St Peter’s and the surrounding area on the displays in the corner of the North aisle where you will also find the coffin of the first prior, unearthed in the 19th century and a fragment of another Tournai Marble font which came from another priory in Ipswich where Christchurch Mansion now stands.
St Peter’s by the Waterfront, College Street
Please check website for opening hours
Brought to you by Ipswich Central, the Business Improvement District (BID) for the town centre and waterfront thanks to Ipswich Borough Council and Towns Deal funding.
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