Church of St Peter, Portishead

The Norman Church of St Peter stands in the centre of Portishead, Somerset, between Church Road North and Church Road South. Its four-stage tower rises to 94 feet and forms a landmark with set-back buttresses and a pierced parapet. The church was built in 1320 on the site of an earlier building and rebuilt in the 14th and 15th centuries in the Perpendicular Gothic style. A vestry was added in 1828 and the interior was altered in 1978–79. A new garden was developed at the Millennium. The church has Grade I listed status since 1952 and maintains strong links with local Church of England primary schools. The churchyard holds the war graves of three Royal Navy sailors and one airman from the Second World War. The present team ministry includes Reverend Rob Eastwood Dewing as Team Rector and three other clergy. Inside, visitors find a Perpendicular Gothic interior with a prominent tower. The churchyard surrounds the building and contains the war graves. The Millennium garden offers a quiet space beside the church. The setting between the two Church Roads keeps the church at the heart of the town.