Bedford
St. Peter's Church
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St. Peter de Merton with St. Cuthbert is a very interesting church as it contains some of the oldest architectural remains in Bedford including two Saxon monoliths set in the church walls behind the pulpit and the lectern. The church also contains a very beautiful memorial window to Colonel Frederick Burnaby, a British soldier, traveller and adventurer who died in 1885 after a very eventful life while trying to rescue General Gordon at the battle of Abu Klea in the Sudan.
The south doorway of the church is Norman but was brought from St. Peter de Dunstable, demolished in 1545. This church originally stood on what is now St. Mary's Square in Bedford.
This Church has been dedicated to two saints since the amalgamation of the parishes of St. Peter and St. Cuthbert in 1974. The former parish church of St. Cuthbert is now used by Bedford's Roman Catholic Polish community.
Sources:
- Bedfordshire by James Dyer (Shire Publications, 1995)
- Church guides in the collection of Bedford Central Library
- Victoria County History of Bedfordshire
Further Reading:
St. Peter de Merton with St. Cuthbert, by Bedfordshire Libraries, 2005
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Page last updated: 22nd January 2014