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How to
find us!
The church's address is St.
Peter's Church, Fairfield, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 7EA
Still don’t know where we
are? click here for
a map
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Disabled
Access
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The
main approach to the church via the church gates off the A6 is broad and
flat affording easy wheelchair access. A ramp is available on request for
use at the main church entrance. Designated disabled parking is not
provided. However, there is good access to parking within the church yard
adjacent to the main entrance. Outside the church there is a pelican
crossing on the main A6 road into Buxton a short distance down the hill
adjacent to the Bulls Head public house. Dropped pavements are provided at
the junction with St Peter's road from where the churchyard can be
accessed. Wheelchair users can easily access the main paths within the
churchyard; however, the minor pathways, including the entrances to the
churchyard adjacent to the Church Hall and from Fairfield Common are not
suitable for wheelchair users. Once inside the church wheelchair users are
easily accommodated at the rear of the church where mobile seating is
located. Access to the gallery, chancel and altar areas is limited;
however, every attempt is made to include disabled persons in our services
including communion which is offered within the main seating area to all
those with mobility problems . Please note that unfortunately, due to
limitations on space, we are not able to offer disabled toilet facilities.
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A
full auditory loop system is provided for use by the hearing impaired.
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Visiting
St Peter's for the first time - What to expect
Arriving
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You will normally be greeted at the entrance to the church and given all the
relevant books and information sheets for the service. Usually these will
include a hymn book, a service sheet and a "link sheet" which
provides detailed information on the particular service including readings,
prayers and musical items.
Seating
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You are free to sit wherever you wish in the pews on the ground floor (the
Gallery is not generally used). Some movable chairs are provided for general
use at the rear of the church, and this is also the designated wheelchair
area.
Noise
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We request that noise is kept to a minimum from entering the church until the
end of the organ voluntary at the close of the service. We do recognise,
however, that in family services some noise from children is usual. We also
request that all mobile phones are switched off or placed on a silent mode.
Following the Service
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Please follow the service sheet. Instructions will either be given or
indicated on the service sheet as to when to sit and stand. Generally we
stand for hymns and sit or kneel for prayers. If in doubt follow the person
in front of you!
Giving money
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During the service a collection will be taken. Please do not feel under any
obligation. All money collected goes towards the church which costs around
£450 per week to run and for which we receive no government funding.
Communion: What should I do?
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You are welcome to receive communion if you are a communicant member of your
own church of any denomination. Alternatively you may come for a blessing and
you should indicate this by keeping your hands folded by your side or behind
your back.
After the service
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Coffee is usually served after the service and you are welcome to stay for
this. There is no charge, but a small donation may be made into the pot on
the coffee table. A toilet is provided at the rear of the church.
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The Bells
of St. Peter's
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20
years after the present church was built, a ring of six bells was installed
in 1867 by John Taylor and Company of Loughborough. The bells were removed
in 1922, recast and re-hung the following year. In 1949 two additional
bells were added and in 1977 the existing - rather rickety - stairs leading
up to the belfry were demolished and a new entrance to the ringing chamber
was formed leading out of the newly installed gallery. The weight of the
tenor bell is 12 cwt.
Some
bells have inscriptions
Bell
1 "The Ringer Bell 1949"
Bell
2 "William Smith Scoutmaster 1947"
Bell
5 "Prosperity to our benefactors"
Bell
6 "William Baker Churchwarden"
Bell
7 "Charles Smith incumbent 1867"
Bell
8 The tenor bell "This peal of bells was procured chiefly by the
exertions of Matilda Wainright and Jane Flint"
Inside
the church at the west end there is a small bell that used to hang in the
chamber on Queens Road School. This dates from 1907 and was repositioned in
the church in 1984.
The
bellringing team is small but dedicated. We do not aspire to complicated
method ringing but do enjoy ringing a few methods well and also the simpler
change ringing. We do aspire to ringing for Sunday services, weddings and
special occasions. The team would be greatly improved if it was larger to enable
us to improve the standard and variety of our ringing. So if you are a
ringer, have been a ringer, or just would like to learn do come and join
us. We practise every Friday evening at 7.30pm and ring for Sunday service
at 9.30am. Please contact Bob Burfitt on 01298 22974 for further
information.
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Stained Glass Windows
There are seven stained glass windows in the church.
1.The East Window is perhaps the finest and was erected in
memory of the 72 Fairfield parishioners who died in the Great War of
1914-1918. It cost 300 guineas and was installed in 1920. The text beneath
reads "Greater love hath no man than this that a man may lay down his
life for his friends".
2.The newest window in the North Transept was installed to
mark the millennium in the year 2000. It is very modern in contrast to the
other windows but very beautiful. It depicts the Holy Spirit, the stream of
living waters and the signs alpha and omega. The individual panes of glass
were purchased by public subscription in memory of loved ones.
3.Opposite this in the south transept is a large window which
was installed in 1912 and is inscribed "suffer little children to come
unto me".
4.In the south nave is a window which was installed in 1890
and pictures St Peter in gaol.
5.Also in the south nave is the oldest window in the church
(1861) which depicts Faith, Hope and Charity.
6.The only window in the north nave depicts the birth of Jesus
and the visitation of the Virgin Mary.
7.To the south of the chancel is a window which shows the
nativity. It was installed in 1929.
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The Organ
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The
organ at St Peter’s dates back to 1893.
It was installed by Peter Conacher
& Co. of Huddersfield at a cost of
£350 and was originally located at the back of church on the north wall
(close to where the font is today).
In 1902 the organ was moved to its present location when the church
extension providing transepts, chancel, vestry, organ chamber and porch was
completed. It has remained largely unchanged since although has undergone a
number of refurbishments. Following an overhaul in 1938 the organ was
rededicated in a service at which the well known organist of Liverpool
Cathedral, Harry
Goss-Custard, Mus.Bac, F.R.C.O. gave a recital.
In 1951 the organ was electrified and in 1969 the brown
varnished organ fascia was painted white, gold and blue. This was removed
during it's most recent full
restoration in 1994 which was completed by
Sixsmith’s Organ Builders of Mossley at a cost of £24,000.
St Peter’s has had at least two previous organs. The first was made by Messrs Wheildon & Roberts of
Manchester and was installed in 1861 and subsequently moved to North Road
School in 1882. The second, a Jardine & Co (Manchester) organ was
loaned to the church by former Fairfield resident Thomas Gocher and was
located in the Gallery.
More
information on pipe organs
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The St Peter's Choir
The Choir has 18 regular members and several associates. The
regular members support worship at the Sunday morning Sung Eucharist
services and other special services throughout the year. Many associate
members join for special occasions such as weddings, funerals, memorial
services and Christmas Carols. The Sunday School children also practise
their own songs and often come to sing with the choir at Family Services.
The Choir practises on Monday evenings at 6.00pm in the
Church. It sings in four part harmony guided by Choir Director, Frances
Brindley. They would love to have more altos, tenors and basses and
sopranos are always welcome too! Robes are provided and maintained by
wardrobe mistress Margaret Booth who does a superb job.
The Choir is also supported by a wonderful organist, Andrew
and by Irene Salt who helps with practises and concerts.
As well as regular worship the Choir does hold concerts during
the year, mainly for charity. The members also make an annual trip at
Christmas to two local homes for senior members of the community to sing
carols and other Christmas songs. For Buxton Churches Together events it is
joined by singers from other local choirs who also visit St Peter's to
support with other special occasions.
St Peter's Choir is a friendly and socially active group. The
members support each other in all things and are always there for one
another in times of trouble or stress.
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The Music
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