St. Peter's Church in St. George, Bermuda

 In early September, we took a 5-day cruise from New York City to Bermuda. The weather for the cruise was very good; no storms in the Atlantic. However, it rained on the second day we were docked in Bermuda, so we didn't leave the ship that day.

We took the ferry from the Naval Dockyard to St. George on the northern end of the islands. The temperature in St. George was 90º and the humidity was 90%. Needless to say, Hubby and I did not do a whole lot of exploring. We did spend a bit of time at St. Peter's Church because there was a geocache in the graveyard.

St. Peter's was established in 1612

St. Peter's is the oldest Anglican church outside the British Isles, and the oldest Protestant church in continuous use in the New World.

doors to the pews

the Pulpit made of Bermuda cedar in 1660

the candle chandelier

The Baptismal font of Purdeck stone dates from 1450 and is believed to have been brought to Bermuda from England by the early settlers. The chair on the right is the Bishop's chair made in 1826 for the Bishop's visit. The chair on the left is the Ceremonial Chair used by Prince Charles on 21" October 1970 to deliver the throne speech opening a special session of Bermuda's Parliament on the occasion of the 350th anniversary of its establishment.

the Black Cemetery

The surrounding historic graveyard (behind the church) is the last resting place for generations of gentry and commoners, governors and slaves, privateers and statemen, some of whom are remembered in the memorials in the Church.

The tree hosted the geocache container,

some of the flowers in the graveyard

Through the centuries St. Peter's Church has witnessed much change and withstood many storms, including hurricanes, standing firm as a sacred sentinel over the little island. 

In 1612 the first settlers to colonize Bermuda arrived from Plymouth, England arboard the 'Plough.' A temporary post and thatch church was erected in the new Town of St. George with a communion table made of Bermuda cedar. (The communion table is on display in the church.)

The first wooden structure on this site was built in 1619. After a devastating hurricane in 1713, the church was rebuilt and enlarged, using the wood of the previous building and with new stone walls. There were several repairs and additions through the years. In 1953 extensive repairs were carried out. 

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth in her Diamond Jubilee year (2012) and for the church's 400th anniversary, honored it with the title 'Their Majesties Chappell.'

Information is taken from a brochure taken from our church visit.