The Church

Pebworth is an ancient village, mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, and it is likely that there was a place of worship on the site of the current St Peters’s. Whoever chose the spot, chose well as it dominates the ridge and highest point in the village, overlooking the Vale of Evesham and the Malvern Hills to the west and the Cotswold Hills to the south.

To open the ancient door, which could well be of Tudor origins, and to step down into the nave is to enter a light, whitewashed building. It is a delightful place in which to worship as the sun streams in and churchyard trees show the changing seasons through the clear glass windows.

The church was built of local blue lias stone (and rubble), 700 years ago in the early 14^th century, with additions in the 15^th and 16^th century such as the belfry and the south aisle.

The boxed pews (beloved by children) the 200-year-old pulpit, the ancient font and communion rails have witnessed a succession of vicars and curates since 1313 but the tranquility, which is so appreciated by visitors has sometimes been broken. For example soldiers fighting in the English Civil War for King Charles 1 were billeted in the church and were supplied with ale, sheep and beef by the churchwardens while in the late 1880’s the parish constable had to be called to eject drunken bellringers from the ringing chamber where they were involved in a fight. At one time the village stocks were erected in the churchyard where unruly members of the community could be locked up.

Fortunately, both the church and its immaculate churchyard are now places of peace, and tranquility has been restored.