St Peter's Church - Early History

In 1448 King Henry VI issued a charter establishing the Mayoralty of Canterbury, from which date all the names of the Mayoralty are recorded. The Mayor-making service was held in St Peter’s church where the rest for the mayoral mace and sword, dating from 1660, can be seen. Many of the City’s past mayors are buried inside the church as well as in the church yard.

The parish registers begin on September 9th 1590. By the middle of the 1600’s the parish of St Peter’s was the home of many Huguenot and Walloon refugees who had fled their countries to escape religious persecution. They brought with them their skills and crafts, in particular the weaving industry which flourished in Canterbury for nearly a century. Inside the church, on the north wall, is a brass commemorating these settlers who were buried in the church yard.