Recent repairs and future plans

In the early years of the 20th century and up to the outbreak of World War I, work to enhance the building continued, with the recasting of the bells. It is known that during the War the congregations filled the building to capacity.

Between the wars there were some minor changes made, involving the panelling to the porch and the stairs to the galleries.

A survey of the church was carried out in 1941, during the Second World War, and the plan and section of the building prepared then hangs in the porch and gives a clear indication of the various phases of construction, as well as showing what the building was like after the considerable works of the late 19th century.

The banners of the Worshipful Company of Farriers were deposited here after their headquarters in London were damaged by wartime bombing.

Work since than has been more modest. The pulpit has been moved from next to the chancel arch one pillar westwards, and so nearer to the congregation. The communion rails and chancel steps have also been modified to give room for more communicants at a time. Electricity was installed, and in 1953 the organ was added, though the console has been moved slightly since. Two small iron strengthening pillars were placed under the west gallery to take the additional weight.

In the early 1970's several back rows of pews were taken out to allow more room near the doors for people to circulate, and the building also at last acquired a lavatory. There has been no remodelling of the building since then, but extensive repairs have been carried out with the tower and both aisles having been repointed and some parapets rebuilt. Less visible but just as important, the ancient oak bellframe has been strengthened in order to ensure it can continue to be used for many more years as the bells summon God's people to worship.

All these repair works have been made possible by means of the gifts from members of the congrgation and assistance from English Heritage, the Friends of Essex Churches, the Borough Council and other grant making bodies, and without the need to make any public appeal for funds.

The rewiring of the building was completed during February and March 2001, during which time the services were temporarily transferred to the Hall. The appearance of the building has been much enhanced by the new and brighter spotlights. At the end of June 2001 the Parish of St Peters joined with the church of St Botolphs to form a new united Benefice of Colchester. The Pastoral Measure to enable this to happen was approved by Her Majesty The Queen on 13th December 2000. The vacancy was advertised in mid February 2001, interviews were held on 24 April 2001, and on the 29th it was announced that Revd Fred Woods, previously Team Rector at Woodley, near Reading had been appointed to the United Benefice.

The installation of Revd Fred Woods as the first vicar to both churches took place on the evening of 2nd October 2001, commencing at St Botolph's Church and concluding at St Peter's Church after a robed walk through the town centre.

On 16th May 2005, the Revd Alison Finch was licenced to the churches of St Peters and St Botolphs. While her work is mainly as a chaplain with the Essex Churches Council for Industry and Commerce, for three out of four Sundays and one other day per week she will be contributing to the ministry of the two town centre churches.

The roofs of both north and south aisles were removed, repaired and replaced in a major campaign of work lasting a whole year from the summer of 2005 to the summer of 2006. This also involved extensive repairs and partial replastering of the ceilings of both aisles. This at last concludes the major structural repairs that have dominated expenditure for the over 20 years.

On 22nd June 2008 the new disabled access ramp was used for the first time. This allows wheelchair access from the High Street through the arch under the Corn Exhange building and into the south door to the church, and we are grateful to the Borough Council for funding this ramp. This needs to be set up each time it is used—please contact us in advance if you require wheelchair access outside normal service times.

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