SS Peter & Paul, Pettistree
Pettistree church community is small (like the village) which leads to the friendly
atmosphere that characterises all the services. The church is part of the benefice
of Wickham Market and the two churches together provide a broad spectrum of
worship styles. This means that Christians of varying backgrounds can find a
service which suits them and with which they are comfortable. This means the
congregation comes from several villages including, Melton and Ufford and of
course Wickham Market and Pettistree.
The monthly benefice magazine contains information about both communities and their organisations and is delivered by volunteers for small annual charge. Contact 01728 746708, to arrange this.
The congregation in Pettistree is generally comfortable with a more traditional form of service but that does not mean that it is 'old fashioned' in word or outlook. There is a monthly weekday morning communion service which is more meditative in style. All the morning Services on Sundays are followed by tea or coffee and a time to chat in the church, and the monthly midweek service is followed by coffee and cake in the Greyhound.
Visitors to Pettistree should try to make time to visit the church to see the mediaeval glass, ( the oldest treasure) and view the most recent work of art, the altar rail kneelers.
Improvements to the church heating in 2004 greatly increased the congregation's comfort, (not considered important or desirable by the Victorians), and there are 'under-pew' heaters. Blown plasterwork on the south nave wall was removed in August 2005 revealing hidden features, at present the flint wall is exposed but there are plans for this to be replastered when the next redecoration is done. Some of the exposed flints will be left as this clearly shows the way this mediaeval church was constructed.
In 2014 a major project was undertaken to remove the 1960’s emulsion and redecorate with a ‘breathable’ replacement. Unfortunately it became apparent very quickly that this product was not suitable and at present (Dec 2018) expert analysis is continuing to suggest the most appropriate wat to resolve the problem.
Volunteers care for the church and its churchyard and without this help it would be difficult to maintain the excellent appearance of the building and its grounds. The churchyard is still used for burials and all those who live in the village, all church members and also those with a strong family connection with the church are entitled to be buried there. There is a section near to the wall on Walnuts Lane designated for the burial of cremated remains.
- Contacts:
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- The Vicar - Rev. Leslie Siu, 01728 561572
- Churchwardens - Carolyn Westrope, 01728 746139 & Kevin Blyth, 01728 748205