800th Anniversary Events | St Peter's Great Berkhamsted

The Church of St Peter Great Berkhamsted

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2022 is an exciting year with 800th celebrations events for all the town running throughout the year.  There will be something for everyone with music, heritage, services, a fair plus a host of other activities. Our church is your church – we hope you will come and celebrate with us.

We are continually adding more events to the calendar, so visit this page or our Facebook page for further updates. Please note that the dates listed below are provisional and may be subject to change. 

 
 
20
Aug

800th Pilgrimage: St Peter's to Little Gaddesden

Sat 20 August 2022     10:30 am
 
A second chance for a local pilgrimage, starting 10:30am from St Peter's, walking to St Peter & St Paul's in Little Gaddesden (5 miles approx). Refreshments available, bring your own lunch/snacks. You can choose to walk back or make your own return transport arrangements.
 
 
 
28
Aug

Berkhamsted Medieval Festival

Sun 28 August 2022     
 
A festival celebrating the town's medieval history over the August Bank Holiday weekend, including battle re-enactments, axe throwing, falconry, stalls, and food and drink.
 
 Book now
 
 
3
Sep

SOLD OUT Pilgrimage & Reflection day at Douai Abbey

Sat 3 September 2022     
 
A pilgrimage day at Douai Abbey in Berkshire, led by Fr David. Please note that the maximum number spaces has now been filled.
 
 
 
8
Sep

Heritage talks: Medieval Heraldry & Graffiti

Thu 8 September 2022     7:00 pm
 
Two talks on the medieval heraldry and hidden medieval graffiti around St Peter's Church. Please note change of date!
 
 Book now
 
 
10
Sep

Oktoberfest: Deutsche Messe

Sat 10 September 2022     7:00 pm
 
A Saturday evening Mass celebrated in German by Fr Peter Anthony, vicar of All Saints Margaret Street in London, followed by Austrian cheese and wine in the Court House. Everyone is welcome, even if you are not a German speaker.
 
 
 
11
Sep

Oktoberfest: Bayerisches Frühstück

Sun 11 September 2022     11:00 am
 
A festival of Germanic culture, food and drink: everyone is welcome to enjoy an outdoors Bavarian breakfast with sausage and beer after the 09:30 Mass.
 
 
 
11
Sep

Heritage Open Days church & Court House tour

Sun 11 September 2022     3:00 pm
 
Exploration and guided tours of the church and Court House, as part of the Heritage Open Days weekend
 
 Book now
 
 
10
Sep

Bike 'n Hike

Sat 10 September 2022     
 
Bike and Hike fundraising event, walking and cycling between country churches
 
 
 
16
Sep

Parish Pilgrimage to Walsingham

Fri 16 September 2022     
 
The Annual Parish Pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Norfolk, led by Fr David - 16-19 September 2022
 
 
 
8
Oct

David Pearce Memorial Lecture with Robin Knox Johnson

Sat 8 October 2022     
 
Robin Knox-Johnston will be speaking in the Centenary Hall on Saturday 8th October as part of our 800th Celebrations. His visit has been organised by the Friends of St Peter's. Robin is a Berkhamstedian and in 1968/9 became the first person to circumnavigate the globe alone and non-stop.
 
 
 
28
Oct

800th Parish Dinner

Fri 28 October 2022     
 
Join us in the Historic Old Hall of Berkhamsted School for a dinner to celebrate 800 years of St Peter’s church in Berkhamsted. All welcome. Further details and ticket information coming soon.
 
 
 
30
Oct

Bishop Alan and All Saints Day

Sun 30 October 2022     9:30 am
 
We welcome Bishop Alan, Bishop of St Albans, to celebrate All Saints Day at St Peter's Berkhamsted
 
 
 
26
Nov

Strathspey Reels and Whisky Tasting

Sat 26 November 2022     
 
An evening of Scottish country dancing and whisky tasting
 
 
 
27
Nov

Festival of Light and Son et Lumière

Sun 27 November 2022     4:00 pm
 
See St Peter's church lit up by thousands of candles plus and amazing Son et Lumière display
 
 
 
27
Nov

Advent Carol Service

Sun 27 November 2022     7:00 pm
 
We begin our 800th Advent with a service of seasonal carols and readings by candlelight
 
 

Past Events

Bridgewater Sinfonia - Scottish Fantasies
5 March 2022

Bridgewater Sinfonia - Scottish Fantasies

A concert of music inspired by the landscape and folklore of Scotland
Handel's Messiah
26 March 2022

Handel's Messiah

Berkhamsted Choral Society present a full performance of Messiah complete with orchestra and professional soloists.
Behind the Mirror Concert
27 March 2022

Behind the Mirror Concert

Forms In The Air - An evening of music for cello, bass and solo piano inspired by the notion of music as abstract forms in the air.
Rectory Lane Cemetery guided tours
30 April 2022

Rectory Lane Cemetery guided tours

Discover the hidden histories behind the graves in St Peter's restored historic Victorian cemetery. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout April. Free tours, donations welcome.
Hemel Symphony Orchestra Concert
2 April 2022

Hemel Symphony Orchestra Concert

A concert of music including the Richard Strauss Horn Concerto, Brahms' Tragic Overture and Dvořák's 8th Symphony
800th Celebrations Launch
2 April 2022

800th Celebrations Launch

The Grand Opening of the celebrations of St Peter's 800th Anniversary
Chiltern Chamber Choir: Joseph Jongen Mass
10 April 2022

Chiltern Chamber Choir: Joseph Jongen Mass

Chiltern Chamber Choir present the Mass of the Blessed Sacrament by Joseph Jongen and works by Orlando Lassus, Cesar Franck and Maurice Durufle. Free admission - retiring collection
Holy Week
10 April 2022

Holy Week

Our 800th Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, with services for Tenebrae, Maundy Thursday and the Good Friday Liturgy - see the worship calendar for details.
Stainer's Crucifixion
15 April 2022

Stainer's Crucifixion

A special Good Friday performance by St Peter's Choir of John Stainer's musical meditation on the crucifixion of Jesus
Our 800th Easter
17 April 2022

Our 800th Easter

We celerbate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ at our Easter Sunday Eucharist
Rectory Lane Cemetery guided tours
30 May 2022

Rectory Lane Cemetery guided tours

Discover the hidden histories behind the graves in St Peter's restored historic Victorian cemetery. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout May. Free tours, donations welcome.
May Day Magridals!
1 May 2022

May Day Magridals!

Our May Day tradition of greeting the spring dawn by singing English Madrigals from the top of St Peter's clock tower
BLHMS Screen Animation & Historical Display
30 May 2022

BLHMS Screen Animation & Historical Display

Come and learn about the history of Berkhamsted's 800 year-old-church. The animation screen is in the south transept and will be open when the church is open. Admission free. Donations welcome.
800th Anniversary Talks: The History of Berkhamsted
3 May 2022

800th Anniversary Talks: The History of Berkhamsted

Find out about the history of Berkhamsted with historical detail and anecdotes from renowned local historian Dr Julian Hunt.
800th Anniversary Talks: The History of St Peter's
10 May 2022

800th Anniversary Talks: The History of St Peter's

Dr Christopher Green traces 800 years of changes to St Peter's Church through changing patterns of worship and architectural fashions
Concert: Willard Carter, cello
15 May 2022

Concert: Willard Carter, cello

Young aspiring cellist Willard Carter with Daniel King Smith, piano. The programme will include Stravinsky, Hadyn, Bloch, Boulanger and Piazzolla. Free with retiring collection.
800th Anniversary Talks: Berkhamsted in 100 years
17 May 2022

800th Anniversary Talks: Berkhamsted in 100 years

Astrophysicist Suzie Imber and Peter Matthews discuss topics that will have an impact on Berkhamsted in the next 100 years. Will we be led into the promised utopia or will humanity’s propensity for war spread into space?
800th Pilgrimage Movie: The Way
20 May 2022

800th Pilgrimage Movie: The Way

A screening in the Court House of the film The Way starring Martin Sheen, and James Nesbitt - a man goes on pilgrimage carrying the ashes of his late son. Limited seating - please book your space with the Parish Office.
Platinum Jubilee Thanksgiving Service
5 June 2022

Platinum Jubilee Thanksgiving Service

A short civic thanksgiving service in St Peter's Churchyard for the whole community giving thanks for the 70-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II
Platinum Jubilee Tea
5 June 2022

Platinum Jubilee Tea

The thanksgiving service is followed by a picnic the with tea and cake to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in St Peter's Churchyard until 5pm
RAF Spitfire Flypast
5 June 2022

RAF Spitfire Flypast

During our Platinum Jubilee celebrations, an RAF Spitfire will fly over St Peter's at 3:55pm approximately. A rare chance to see a classic wartime aircraft over Berkhamsted skies! Subject to weather and operational factors
Berkhamsted Art Society June Drawing Evenings
6 June 2022

Berkhamsted Art Society June Drawing Evenings

Draw or paint St Peter's church in in any medium you choose. Everyone is very welcome, especially beginners- bring pens, biros, pencils, paints and paper.
Berkhamsted Art Society June Drawing Evenings
13 June 2022

Berkhamsted Art Society June Drawing Evenings

Meet at Rectory Lane Cemetery (behind the Rex Cinema) to draw or paint the Cemetery in in any medium you choose. Everyone is very welcome, especially beginners- bring pens, biros, pencils, paints and paper, plus a chair.
Berkhamsted Art Society June Drawing Evenings
20 June 2022

Berkhamsted Art Society June Drawing Evenings

Draw or paint St Peter's church in in any medium you choose. Everyone is very welcome, especially beginners- bring pens, biros, pencils, paints and paper.
Bridgewater Sinfonia Concert
25 June 2022

Bridgewater Sinfonia Concert

A musical celebration featuring works from the last 800 years, with St Peter’s Church Choir and the Chiltern Chamber Choir
800th Patronal Festival Service
26 June 2022

800th Patronal Festival Service

A special service to celebrate our Saint's Day, the feast of Ss Peter and Paul, and 800 years of St Peter's Church in Berkhamsted. Guest preacher: the Very Rev Mark Bonney, Dean of Ely Cathedral and former Rector of St Peter's
Lancaster Bomber Flypast - CANCELLED
26 June 2022

Lancaster Bomber Flypast - CANCELLED

Sadly the planned Lancaster Bomber flypast has been CANCELLED due to poor weather conditions. However, the St Peter's 800th Festival will still go ahead at 2pm
St Peter's 800th Festival
26 June 2022

St Peter's 800th Festival

An afternoon of Pimms, floral displays, cakes, bottle stall, train, teddy parachutes, plant stall and activities, with a special peal of bell ringing
Berkhamsted Art Society June Drawing Evenings
27 June 2022

Berkhamsted Art Society June Drawing Evenings

Draw or paint St Peter's church in in any medium you choose. Everyone is very welcome, especially beginners- bring pens, biros, pencils, paints and paper.
Create a Clay Model of St Peter's
2 July 2022

Create a Clay Model of St Peter's

Help to create a huge clay model of St Peter's with Berkhamsted Art Society, the Dacorum & Chiltern Potters' Guild and the Open Door. The public are invited to take part in this project to help create details of this sculpture. Children welcome!
Stonemason's tour of Rectory Lane Cemetery
2 July 2022

Stonemason's tour of Rectory Lane Cemetery

A stonemason explains the restored monuments in St Peter's restored historic Victorian cemetery, learn about the tools of his trade and have a go at stone carving! Free tour, donations welcome.
Beating the Bounds Parish Walks
3 July 2022

Beating the Bounds Parish Walks

A walk around the historic Parish Bounds of Berkhamsted - choose a route either around picturesque Haresfoot or through beautiful Ashridge Forest. Register online for free.
Celebration Evensong
10 July 2022

Celebration Evensong

A special celebration Choral Evensong to mark 800 years of music at St Peter's with music from 16th to the 21st centuries
Hertswing Jazz Concert
14 July 2022

Hertswing Jazz Concert

The historic space of St Peter's Church will be filled with the fantastic sound of classic Big Band Jazz.
 

St Peter’s Great Berkhamsted 1222-2022

 

Celebrate 800 years of St Peter's Berkhamsted - 1222-2022