St Peter's Church, Brighton
St Peter's is the large Gothic Revival church on a traffic island where London Road and Lewes Road meet, at the northern end of central Brighton. Designed by a young Charles Barry and consecrated in 1828, it is Grade II* listed and still a busy working church.
Photos
Bjørn Nedergaard
A young architect's first big win
Charles Barry, later the architect of the Houses of Parliament, won an open competition for St Peter's in his twenties. Built between 1824 and 1828, it is often cited as one of the finest pre-Victorian Gothic Revival churches. A larger Sussex sandstone chancel by Somers Clarke and J. T. Micklethwaite replaced Barry's original apse, finished in 1906.
Inside and up the tower
Most of the stained glass is by Charles Eamer Kempe, including a window commemorating Queen Victoria. The tower rises to about 41 metres and holds a ring of ten bells cast in 1914, which rang again in 2022 after restoration work. St Peter's served as Brighton's parish church from 1873 to 2007 and is sometimes called the city's unofficial cathedral.
Visiting today
Since 2009 the church has been run by a congregation linked to Holy Trinity Brompton, so expect services and events alongside visitors. It stands at the top of the Valley Gardens, a short walk from The Level and from the independent cafés of London Road and the North Laine. The surrounding gardens make a pleasant green pause on the walk between the station area and Kemptown.
Highlights
- Designed by Sir Charles Barry, consecrated 1828
- Grade II* listed
- Kempe stained glass
- Ring of ten bells in a 41 m tower
- Brighton's parish church 1873-2007
Good to know
- It is an active church; services and events take priority, so check the church website before visiting.
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Sources: en.wikipedia.org