St Peter's Collegiate Church

St. Peter’s Collegiate Church is located on the oldest and highest site in central Wolverhampton.

History

The church is thought to have been founded in around 996 by Wulfruna, widow of Aldhelm, Earl of Northumberland, and sister of King Edgar. [1]

The church was, until 1846, a peculiar outside the juristiction of the Diocese of Lichfield. It was under the authority of the Dean of Wolverhampton, who had seven prebendaries to assist him. In the medieval ages the church was linked to the Deanery of Windsor, the two positions being held by the same person. Since 1846, the church has been a parish church in the Diocese of Lichfield and its incumbents entitled Rector of Wolverhampton.[2]

Today

Worship is in the Catholic tradition of the Church of England. Vestments, reservation and the sacrament of reconciliation are all part of its tradition with incense used at festival services.

St. Peter's is open from 1000 until 1600 on weekdays and Saturdays, and before and after services on Sundays.

There is a shop offering Christian books, gifts and souvenirs, and there is a coffee bar in the nearby St. Peter's House.

Music

The Father Willis organ, built in 1860, is particularly notable. [3] The current Director or Music is Peter Morris and the long-serving Assistant Organist is Dr. David Rendell. [4]

There is an high-profile musical tradition: more than 70 children and young people are involved, along with Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars. The church has a fine set of bells - the second oldest complete set of twelve in the country. [[5]]

The church has links with St. Peter's Collegiate School, which is located on the Compton Park site of the University of Wolverhampton. [6]

http://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&id=zK4HAAAAQAAJ&dq=st.+peter%27s+collegiate+church&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=CuNoVCScCI&sig=m3v6QmwKP61mcXsB3D2jqRM571A&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=8&ct=result#PPA26,M1A Short Historical Account of the Collegiate Church of St. Peter, Wolverhampton