St Peter-On-The-Wall, Essex: Ancient Saxon Chapel

St Peter-On-The-Wall in Essex is one of the oldest churches in England, built in 654AD.

It is was built on the site of the gateway of a Roman fort and using its stone, around 1,400 years ago.

The builder was St Cedd, from Lindisfarne, who founded many churches.

St. Cedd, also known as Cedd of Lastingham, was an Anglo-Saxon monk and missionary who played a significant role in the Christianization of the Kingdom of Essex during the 7th century.

He was born around 620 AD into the royal family of the East Saxons.

Cedd received his religious education at the Celtic monastery of Lindisfarne under St. Aidan.

Later, he traveled to the Kingdom of Essex and established a monastery at Bradwell-on-Sea on the banks of the River Blackwater.

Cedd's mission in Essex was successful, and he converted many of the local people to Christianity.

In 653, Cedd travelled south from Lindisfarne to spread Christianity at the behest of Sigeberht the God Good.

Then King of the East Saxons, and, having been ordained as a bishop, returned the next year in order to build the chapel.

Following the death of Cedd in October 664 from plague, the chapel became part of the Diocese of London.

Only the nave remains, but the outlines of the eastern apse, and of the north and south porticus can be seen on the ground.

A monastery that was also here was destroyed during Danish raids in the 9th century.

The church was still in use in the 16th century, and partly owes its survival to its use as a seamark for fishermen and sailors.

In the 17th century, it became a barn, and holes were punched in the walls to make barn doors.

Restoration and reconsecration took place in 1920, and today the inside of the chapel is simple and serene, with benches and an altar and wall mounted crosses at the east end.

There is a popular, annual pilgrimage to the chapel from the village, and many people visit the chapel throughout the year on their own private pilgrimages.

It is one of the most restful and spiritual buildings in the country, a place to bring you peace and tranquility.

The old Saxon quote on the Chapel sign ‘In this place the word is revealed to you’ is certainly true.

The Chapel is situated at one end of the long distant walk ‘St Peters Way,’ right on the coast and has stunning views - a must for walkers and those keen on photography.

The car park is about ¼ mile away from the chapel, so a walk along the track is necessary.

The ancient building was designated as a Grade I listed building in 1959.

A building is listed when it is of special architectural or historic interest considered to be of national importance and therefore worth protecting.

Today, the chapel belongs to Chelmsford Cathedral and is looked after by the Chaplain, the Revd Steven Poss, Rector of the parish church of St Thomas Bradwell-On-Sea.

Regular public services are held in the chapel each week with a Thursday morning Communion service at 9am.

Special services are held at Christmas and Easter.

In the summer evening services are held each Sunday in July and August at 6:30pm.

The chapel and adjacent field are the home of the Bradwell Pilgrimage, held on the first Saturday in July.

The procession starts at the Parish Church of St Thomas and the pilgrims walk to the Chapel of St Peter's, where services and events are held.

Someone who recently visited the church wrote on TripAdvisor saying: “A beautifully simple Chapel that has the most wonderful feel to it.

”We arranged to have access from 12 noon until 2pm in order to sit quietly, privately and pray.

”The simplicity and history of the Chapel is wonderful. Thanks to David for arranging for the Chapel to be opened for us.”

Another person added “A very inspiring place. You get there walking down about half a mile of footpath and it is facing the sea, very solid and impressive.

”Inside it has been minimally restored.

”It is on land which is owned by some kind of a trust or English heritage, and the sea shore, very wild, is also protected.

”So you can get a feeling for how it must have been a thousand years ago when this must have been so wild.

”My only comment is that not enough of the land around it has been protected.”

If you’d like to visit, the address is: End Rd, Southminster CM0 7PN.

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