A Walworth church is fundraising for a 200th anniversary makeover.
Grade-I Listed St Peter’s Church, built in 1825, needs specialist craftspeople to repair peeling paintwork, damaged ceilings and the roof.
The fundraiser is part of a wider push to make St Peter’s “more accessible” to the local community through a “varied programme of activities”.
Father Andrew, church rector, said: “We’re very fortunate that St Peter’s Church is in great condition structurally but there is work to be done.”
The Grade-I Listed building was designed by renowned Georgian architect John Soane. Image: St Peter’s
There are also plans to install ramped access to the church’s sanctuary area, and open up more of the church’s rooms to visitors on weekdays.
He added: “We want this building to be more and more accessible to as many people as possible.”
St Peter’s, off the Walworth Road, is Georgian architect John Soane’s best-preserved church.
During World War II, the church crypt was a reliable bomb shelter with an estimated 600 to 900 people staying there each night.
But it was heavily bombed on October 29, 1940, killing 67 and injuring 100 people hiding inside.
The church was restored by ecclesiastical architect Thomas F. Ford and re-dedicated by the Bishop of Southwark on July 11, 1953.
Money raised will go towards the initial works and professional fees involved in preparing a First Round Development Phase National Lottery Heritage Fund application.
St Peter’s wrote online: ‘Your donation at this early stage will help get this project off to a strong start, and will help us mark our 200th anniversary in the most open and inclusive way possible! Thank you for joining us at the beginning of this amazing journey!’
Yesterday (Wednsday, January 8), the nearby Walworth Town Hall officially opened to the public after being gutted by fire
Click here to donate.