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About our home: the church of Saint Peter upon Chesulle, Winchester

book iconRecently published! A history of St Peter Chesil [details]

chesil theatre logo

Please wait a few seconds for all the images to loadChesil theatre from the street opposite

Introduction

The Chesil Theatre occupies St Peter’s Church which once stood outside the City gates in a row of houses serving a bustling community of tradesmen and craftsmen in Chesil Street.

Early History

The earliest mention of the church is found in the Winton Domesday, written shortly after the survey of the city in 1148. Martin Biddle writes in his Winchester Studies:

Before 1142, St Denis Priory acquired the chapel of St Peter’s which at that time was in possession of Stigand the chaplain...The church includes a 12th century font, but has no burial ground...parishioners used the cemetery of St Giles on top of the hill. 

By the later middle ages the street frontage to the south followed the line of the east wall as it does today. The original building may even have stood entirely within the highway

 

Up to the 2nd World War

In the heyday of the Itchen canal there were nearly a dozen public houses along Chesil Street and Wharf Hill, and the ‘Dog and Duck’ was regularly patronised by the Chesil Church officers. The bell-ringing team met there after weddings and celebrations and the church wardens went for ale and food after parish meetings. The door was even used as a parish notice board! 

In the 18th century a Dr Earle lived in the ‘Hersent House’ (now ‘The Soke’) next door. He made special arrangements for his elderly mother to enjoy the services without leaving home by installing a grating about 18 feet from the ground which opened into a small closet in the wall. But by 1897 this had become a source of interruption too and the Rector had it built up!

After the 2nd World War

The church fell out of use after the Second World War and by 1960 was becoming structurally unsafe. The Winchester Preservation Trust was formed at that time and its first objective was to save the building. The Diocese had not alternative use for the building so the Winchester Dramatic Society accepted the offer of the building rent free but with the responsibility of maintaining the fabric - finally establishing a home of their own.

 

ChesilPete - head of old statue

Renovation

The church has adapted readily as a theatre. The tower is now a wardrobe store, the vestry (appropriately) a dressing room, the south aisle a scenery store and the nave is occupied by the stage. The back row of the auditorium seating marks the site of the altar.

 

Over the years the Society has continued to maintain and improve the theatre, involving an increasing financial commitment which averages around £7,000 a year (£28,000 in 1994-95) with useful grant help from the City and County Councils but with the majority of the funds raised by the efforts of the members.

On the left is 'Chesil Pete' who has resided in the theatre bar, possibly for the last 900 years!

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