The
small church of St Peter's in Fugglestone is locked in a little time
warp of engineering history. Due to its small size the church has never
been converted to
electricity, and in the 21st century it still has and uses the original
Victorian gas lighting. During the wintertime the church
services
have to be held in the afternoons as the illumunation level of the gas
lighting is not sufficient
during the hours of darkness.
Built in the 13th century of Ashlar and Rubble it was given a Victorian
restoration in 1848. The
small village of Fugglestone does not show on most maps, and but for
the church the village would have disappeared. The church was used for worship by
Lepers from the nearby hospital during the 1200's. It is unusual to
find an Anglican church still keeping its balcony, having survived the
Victorian restoration, when most of the balconies were removed.
The Church still
retains its original
box pews.
The
Churchwarden's duties include lighting all the gas mantles in time for
the Service.
A
pictorial selection of the gas lamps in the church
The Chancel
4 lamp hanging
pendant