St. Paul's Church, Bedford

St Paul's Church is a Church of England parish church located on St Paul's Square in the town centre of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England.

History

There was a church on the site by 1066. A Collegiate church, it was run by a group of clergy called canons, who would have lived in houses around the church. The present church was started in the first part of the 13th century. The basic plan of the church was for a chancel, nave and south aisle. With numerous alterations little remains visible from this period apart from the south porch. This is Early English in style.

In the 15th century the two porches were added. In 1416 the Trinity Chapel was added to the east of the south aisle. This was maintained by the "Holy Brotherhood of the Trinity". At the east end were placed statues of the saints in niches. One of these was used for the present main pulpit. In the chancel, Misericords (seats of pity) were added for the priests to take the weight off their legs during services. One of these represents Bedford Castle. Both Nave and South Aisle were re-roofed in the 15th Century. The Trinity Chapel contains the Brasses of Sir William Harpur and Dame Alice, his wife. Harpur was Lord Mayor of the City of London in 1562. The Harpur Trust runs four secondary schools and a pre-preparatory school in the town and a number of stained glass windows have been given either by the trust or individual schools.

After the English Reformation the Trinity Chapel was turned into an Archdeacon’s Court. Sadly the 17th and 18th Century inventories were burnt to help keep the Court warm. On May 23 1656, John Bunyan, author of "The Pilgrim's Progress" preached here and on 10 March 1758, John Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism, preached the Assize Sermon here.

The building underwent major changes during the 19th century. In 1864 the appointment as Vicar of the Reverend Michael Sadler, brought St Paul’s into the Anglo-Catholic tradition of the Church of England, where it is today. From 1869, the clergy were supported by the "Sisters of Saint Etheldreda". In 1865–1868, the tower and spire were completely rebuilt and the two transepts added. In 1879 the chancel roof was raised and painted and angels introduced. This has recently been restored thanks to the efforts of the "Friends of St Paul’s".

In 1905, George Frederick Bodley added the Rood loft (or screen) which was coloured by F.C. Eden in 1938. Bodley had re-ordered the Chancel and restored the choir stalls in 1898. The Trinity Chapel was restored in 1908 by C.E. Mallows. From that period date the English Altar and the altar rails by the Bromsgrove Guild. St Paul’s is notable for the fine stained glass by Hardman, Clayton & Bell, Kempe, Burlison & Grylls and one of 1908 by Paul Woodruffe of Chipping Camden.

Throughout the Second World War from 1941 onwards, St Paul’s was used by the BBC for the broadcasting of the Daily Service. During that time, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York celebrated the Eucharist together in a live broadcast and the Roman Catholic Cardinal Arthur Hinsley preached here. "(See Corn Exchange, Bedford)."

Prominent people baptised at St. Paul’s include clergyman and anti-apartheid campaigner, the Right Revd Trevor Huddleston KCMG (1913) and the comic actor John Le Mesurier (1912). From the mid 1970s restoration and improvements were made, culminating in 1982 with the addition of two doors at the west end designed by the well-known glass engraver, David Peace. [http://www.stpaulschurchbedford.org.uk/index.asp 'Brief History of St Paul's']

The church today

St Paul's is a busy and active Anglican Parish in the heart of Bedford. The Church is part of the "Bedford Council of Faiths" and has many links to other churches and community groups.

Sunday Services8.00 a.m Said Eucharist (Common Worship Order 2) 10.15 a.m Sung Eucharist (Common Worship Order 1), (Choral first Sunday of the month) 6.30 p.m Evensong (1st Sunday – Taizé/Iona worship), (2nd and 4th Sundays – Choral), (3rd Sunday – Informal Worship)

Weekday ServicesMonday: 7.30 a.m. Eucharist8.00 a.m. Morning Prayer Tuesday: 9.00 a.m. Morning Prayer7.00 p.m. Eucharist3rd Tuesday - Walsingham Cell4th Tuesday – With laying on of hands for healing Wednesday: 9.00 a.m. Morning PrayerNoon Eucharist Thursday: 7.30 a.m. Eucharist8.00 a.m. Morning Prayer Friday: 9.00 a.m. Morning Prayer9.30 a.m. Eucharist Saturday: 9.00 a.m. Morning Prayer9.30 a.m. Eucharist

Evening prayer is said daily at 5.00 p.m. The church open for private prayer each day between 10.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. [http://www.stpaulschurchbedford.org.uk/worship/worship_home.asp 'Worship']

Music

For about twenty years, St Paul's Church has organised a regular lunchtime concert series. Originally, the concerts were set up to provide a platform of experience for local Bedford schools. Since then, they have evolved and now local schools, and more recently, individuals and group performers have played at the church. Concerts are always on Tuesdays and start at 1.10 pm for half to three quarters of an hour. Light lunches are available and people are welcome to eat their lunch while listening to the concert. [http://www.stpaulschurchbedford.org.uk/music/music_home.asp 'Music & Events']

References

External links

* [http://www.stpaulschurchbedford.org.uk/ St Paul's Church official site]