Church of St. Peter, Kington Langley
The original St Peter's Church was chapel of ease. It was converted into private dwellings in 1670. What was once probably the nave is St Peter's cottages, just below the village hall. There was a cellar beneath the chapel with what appeared to be a small crypt - the door to the staircase was bricked up. The chapel bell was removed to Fitzurse Farm. It was never the parish church but served the inhabitants of the Langley part of Kington when the two parishes were one.
Mr E.J. Clutterbuck of Hardenhuish Park opened up a subscription list with a £100 donation to raise funds for a new church in Kington Langley. Others were Mr Coleman who provided the land and £50, Mr Neeld (who gave £200) and other individuals and societies.
The land was consecrated in 1855 and the new St Peter's Church was built in 1856, further up the road from the original. The architect was Mr Gabriel of London and Calne. The church has a chancel, nave, organ chamber, vestry, south porch and a small western turret with one bell. There is a bright coloured east window of 1861 and a nave south window of 1906. It was built using local Kingston stone, and the pulpit and font are also of stone. On either side of the chancel arch there are two carved heads. The south side is occupied by Thomas a Becket. On the north is Reginald Fitzurse, one of the men who murdered him.
Mr E.J. Clutterbuck of Hardenhuish Park opened up a subscription list with a £100 donation to raise funds for a new church in Kington Langley. Others were Mr Coleman who provided the land and £50, Mr Neeld (who gave £200) and other individuals and societies.
The land was consecrated in 1855 and the new St Peter's Church was built in 1856, further up the road from the original. The architect was Mr Gabriel of London and Calne. The church has a chancel, nave, organ chamber, vestry, south porch and a small western turret with one bell. There is a bright coloured east window of 1861 and a nave south window of 1906. It was built using local Kingston stone, and the pulpit and font are also of stone. On either side of the chancel arch there are two carved heads. The south side is occupied by Thomas a Becket. On the north is Reginald Fitzurse, one of the men who murdered him.
The church was still classed as a chapel of ease until c.1865 when it was licensed and became a Parish Church with an incumbent. Weddings were able to take place from 1865 onwards.
The Reverend J.J. Daniell was the first Vicar in 1871. He painted pictures of various parts of the village and was a friend of Francis Kilvert who lived in Langley Burrell.
In 1906 the church roof interior was repaired and the wooden ceiling replaced with white plaster. In 1926 Mr Clarke replaced the old fashioned coke stoves with central heated radiators. The Reverend W.P Pring became Vicar in 1927. He introduced a Boys Choir with Mr Brittain as Choirmaster. A new choir vestry was provided at the west end of the church. In 1931 a piece of land was procured to enable the churchyard to be extended and a new vicarage built. Electric lighting was included in the new vicarage, and was installed into the Church in 1934. In 1935 the organ received a new electric motor.
The Church Plate dates from 1855. There is a chalice and paten of silver. In 1924 a new paten was purchased to fit the larger chalice. There is also a brass alms dish.
The Reverend J.J. Daniell was the first Vicar in 1871. He painted pictures of various parts of the village and was a friend of Francis Kilvert who lived in Langley Burrell.
In 1906 the church roof interior was repaired and the wooden ceiling replaced with white plaster. In 1926 Mr Clarke replaced the old fashioned coke stoves with central heated radiators. The Reverend W.P Pring became Vicar in 1927. He introduced a Boys Choir with Mr Brittain as Choirmaster. A new choir vestry was provided at the west end of the church. In 1931 a piece of land was procured to enable the churchyard to be extended and a new vicarage built. Electric lighting was included in the new vicarage, and was installed into the Church in 1934. In 1935 the organ received a new electric motor.
The Church Plate dates from 1855. There is a chalice and paten of silver. In 1924 a new paten was purchased to fit the larger chalice. There is also a brass alms dish.
The Communicant's Guild was run for children aged 12 years and over who had been confirmed. They met in the school for games on a Tuesday evening. There was a monthly service in the Church on a Sunday at 3pm. Outdoor games were held at the Vicarage field in the summer. In 1937 there were winter meetings held in the village hall and from the 1950s the guild also had its own drama and concert section and a cycle club and football team.
The parish registers, other than those in current use, from 1855 (baptisms and burials) and 1865 (marriages) are held in the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre, Chippenham. Earlier records will be found in Kington St. Michael parish registers.
The parish registers, other than those in current use, from 1855 (baptisms and burials) and 1865 (marriages) are held in the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre, Chippenham. Earlier records will be found in Kington St. Michael parish registers.