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Church deserves a new lease of life.

For more than a generation, St Peter’s Church at the entrance to Ipswich Waterfront has been a hidden treasure. It has at last gained a new lease of life following the award of £772,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund to secure its future and open it to the public for the first time in many years.

The Ipswich Hospital Band has been awarded the grant and the funding has allowed it to be converted into a concert venue playing host to thousands of visitors each year. Its redevelopment has seen the installation of a 5 tier stage and a 205-seat auditorium, as well as sound and lighting facilities which will be suitable to accommodate a range of performances.

Historical Notes

St Peter’s is one of six redundant medieval churches in Ipswich and was built in Romanesque style as the church of the Augustinian Black Canons of the Priory of St Peter and St Paul. The existing aisles were added in 1400 and the west tower 1470. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey refurbished the church in 1528 to serve as the chapel of his short-lived Cardinal College of St Mary and ten years later St Peter’s became an ordinary parish church.

As the band’s Musical Director I can assure you that the entire band was extremely excited about rehearsing and performing in what is now their new home.

At present we are currently recruiting members for the band and if you are Grade VI or above then please use the link to the Ipswich Hospital Band where you can leave your details with the Band Chairman Mr John Pickering with a view to joining us.

Please also note that you will be auditioned on your instrument by the band’s Musical Director (Brass) and Assistant Musical Director (Woodwind), however if you have played continuously and have the Grade VI certificate for us to see then you would be exempt the audition.