St. Peter's Church
Anglican church · Saint George's ·
Oldest Anglican church outside British Isles, UNESCO site
Oldest Anglican church outside British Isles, UNESCO site
"Designated as a key reason St. George’s earned UNESCO status, I found this church—originally built the same year the town was founded—to be a fascinating mix of surviving 17th-century elements and later architectural updates; much of the original was destroyed by a hurricane, but you can still see a hand-carved triple-tier wooden pulpit from 1660, communion silver from the 1600s, and a baptismal font estimated to be 900 years old, all of which underline its claim as the oldest Anglican place of worship outside the British Isles." - Katherine Cusumano, David LaHuta
"So, can you tell us a little about this place? When the Town of St. George’s was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, it took its place among the world’s great architectural, cultural, and historic treasures. St. Peter's Church, originally constructed in 1612—the same year the town was founded—is one of the main reasons for the honor, since St. Peter’s is the oldest Anglican place of worship outside the British Isles. Granted the royal designation of “Their Majesties Chappell” by Queen Elizabeth to celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2012, the church is a well-preserved gem in a town brimming with cultural history. What's the church itself like? Although the church dates back to 1619, much of it was destroyed by a hurricane. What’s standing now is a stone structure built in 1713 that incorporates some elements of the original, along with architectural updates added throughout the subsequent centuries. Still, much of its design and decorative features are hundreds of years old, including a triple-tier wooden pulpit that was hand-carved in 1660; a collection of communion silver from the 1600s; and a baptismal font, brought by early settlers, that’s estimated to be 900 years old. Any guided tours worth taking? There are no guides, but the church is often staffed with volunteers and priests who will happily answer any of your questions. What's the usual crowd like? Like much of St. George’s, St. Peter’s Church attracts hardcore history buffs and folks on East End pilgrimages. This is a fully operational parish, so you'll see people praying in the nave; during the pandemic, the church distributed meals to community members. Others wander through the historic church yard, where prominent Bermudians, including Governor Richard Sharples—who was assassinated in 1973—are buried. Why is it worth a visit? There’s no better example of ecclesiastical architecture in Bermuda, and the church offers a unique window into how early settlers worshipped. So to whom would you recommend a visit? If you’re at all into history, St. Peter’s Church is a must-see. Beyond its well-preserved British colonial architecture, the place is overflowing with historical artifacts. A note for the mobility impaired: Most of St. George’s cobblestone roads and alleys are bumpy and uneven, so if you’re in a wheelchair, you might reconsider your plans. That said, the main church is wheelchair-friendly, and in 2019, it installed a new, handicap-accessible pathway into the section of its graveyard where Black individuals were buried—a vivid, poignant reminder of the island’s history of segregation." - David LaHuta
"When the Town of St. George’s was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, it took its place among the world’s great architectural, cultural, and historic treasures. St. Peter's Church, originally constructed in 1612—the same year the town was founded—is one of the main reasons for the honor, since St. Peter’s is the oldest Anglican place of worship outside the British Isles. Granted the royal designation of “Their Majesties Chappell” by Queen Elizabeth to celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2012, the church is a well-preserved gem in a town brimming with cultural history, and one of the best examples of ecclesiastical architecture in Bermuda." - David LaHuta
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