The Civic and Parish Church of Bournemouth
St. Peter’s from the air

St. Peter’s was built between 1844 and 1879 by the architect G.E Street and is the mother church of Bournemouth. The church is located in the heart of the town centre next to Beales department store. St. Peter’s hosts regular variety of events which you can view here.

Services at St. Peter’s are traditional and forward-looking, incorporating liturgy, traditional hymns, and choral music. On most Sundays, there is a Sung Eucharist at 10am and Choral Evensong at 4pm. St. Peter’s has three choirs: the choir of boys, girls and adults, the St. Peter’s Singers, and the Consort.

We mark significant moments of the church year in distinctive ways:

  • our carol services on Advent Sunday, Christmas Eve and during Epiphany
  • the Easter Sunday dawn eucharist on the beach
  • the Ascension Day dawn eucharist with singing from the tower
Dawn eucharist
Dawn eucharist on the beach on Easter Sunday

The church is open to anyone who has questions about the faith, and we make a point of trying to bring together the traditions of the Church of England with the enquiring nature of many people today. The central location of the church means that its prominent spire is one of the town’s major landmarks, and the church is open every day, allowing visitors to wander in, pray, read or explore the building for themselves.

Our hope is to respond to God’s love in three distinctive ways:

  • To celebrate the God-given talents of all;
  • To grow stronger as Christians;
  • To encourage all to grow in the love of God.

You are very welcome at St. Peter’s at any time.