St Peter's Church, Caversham

St. Peter's Church is a stone building in Caversham positioned near the River Thames, featuring an octagonal tower with eight bells inside. Its construction blends elements from Norman times and later centuries, creating a layered architectural character.

The church was founded in 1162, making it a site of worship since the early medieval period. During the 1643 Siege of Reading, military forces placed a cannon on its tower, leaving damage marks on the structure.

The building serves as a gathering place where the local community has come together for worship and celebration across generations. Its physical form reflects the layered history of how different periods have left their mark on the space.

The church is accessible during daylight hours and holds services throughout the week for visitors who wish to attend. The location near the river makes it easy to combine a visit with walking along the Thames.

One of the bells in the tower dates from 1637, making it older than the current stone tower itself, which replaced an earlier wooden structure. This ancient bell demonstrates how certain elements were preserved even as the building underwent major transformation.