St. Peter and St. Paul

On Sunday we went for the first time to the Church of England! St. Peter & St. Paul's is a handsome building, "only" 200 years old. Apparently, when the church spire collapsed, only 5 minutes after the bell-ringers left, the damage was so huge, it was decided to build a whole new building.

From the parish website:

In 1776 the spire on the old church, for the second time, fell down and caused so much damage that it was decided to build a new church on the vacant site of Castle Hill. This new church, in the 'Debased Gothic' style, was consecrated by the Bishop of Lincoln on 6th December 1780 and dedicated to the Apostles Peter and Paul.

In 1866 extensive restoration was carried out, a new chancel added and a decoration scheme in the Gothic style completed by the local architect Sir George Gilbert Scott. The tower and spire remain unchanged since 1780, and the windows slightly altered. The buttresses and porch are the work of Scott. www.buckinghamparishchurch.org.uk

The liturgy was very similar to our Canadian Book of Alternative Services, with only a few small differences. Due to concerns about Swine Flu, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have mandated that the laity will receive bread only; the clergy will consecrate and consume wine. I was happy nonetheless to receive the Eucharist, having attended other Protestant churches for several Sundays previous.

The parish seems very active, with groups for various ages of young people. We look forward to attending the informal non traditional service called "ignite" that attracts families with older teens and also young adults.