Church of St Peter and St Paul, Wantage

The Church of St Peter and St Paul stands in the centre of Wantage, Oxfordshire, as a Grade I listed building. Its oldest parts date from the late 13th century, with a 15th-century chancel and later additions. The Dean and Canons of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, have been patrons since 1421. In the 19th century, George Edmund Street led a major restoration, and William Butterfield added a western bay in 1877. A south chapel was restored in 1895 in memory of the long-serving vicar W. J. Butler. The church belongs to the Catholic tradition within the Church of England’s Diocese of Oxford. Among its notable clergy was William John Butler, who became Dean of Lincoln after serving for 34 years. Edward Foyle Nelson, curate from 1857 until his death, is remembered with a stained glass window installed in 1861. Roscow Shedden, a former Bishop of Nassau, served as vicar from 1931 to 1952. Robert Wright later became Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons. Inside, visitors find a spacious nave with aisles and chapels reflecting its medieval origins. The 19th-century restoration by Street introduced new stonework and details. The 1861 window for Edward Nelson remains a focal point. The church’s setting in Wantage’s market square makes it a quiet refuge near the town’s shops and cafés.