St Peter’s Church
Church Lane, Hepworth IP22 2PU
Rector – Rev. Cathy Bladen
Lay Elder – Chris Anderson (01359) 250944
Secretary – Maureen Bacon (01359) 254054
(The following is taken from the page of the United Benefice, of which St Peter’s is one church)
The present structure dates mainly from the 14th and 15th centuries.
Over the centuries it has been gradually enlarged and embellished. As we look at its solid walls and buttresses, its hefty medieval door and its soaring windows, we can sense the care and devotion that has gone into building and maintaining it over the generations.
It may not be one of the famous showpieces of East Anglia, but it has a solidity and peacefulness which speaks to us just as strongly.
Whether you visit this building frequently for its weekly services, or only occasionally for a wedding, a funeral, or perhaps a concert, we hope you will agree that such an ancient and beautiful building is an asset which deserves to be looked after.
We warmly invite you to become a Friend of St Peter’s and take your part in caring for this wonderful place.
Recent News
Harvest Festival
St Peter’s Church, Hepworth Sunday 5th October, 9.30am You are invited to join us for our Harvest Festival Service, followed by refreshments DONATIONS WELCOME FOR THE FOOD BANK ALL WELCOME
WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP
Coming soon… On Saturday 29th November At The Hepworth Pavilion Half day Refreshments included Look out for further details
News from St Peter’s, Hepworth
Church Roof Fund A small team are meeting to look at funding applications to raise the necessary funds to retile the roof of this historic building. Hepworth 2 Enjoy are also joining the effort, so please support the events which … Read More
From the Rectory – October 2025
A HARVEST OF GENEROSITY Dear Friends and Neighbours, I love the beauty of the countryside around us at this time of year. This autumn I’ve especially noticed how many blackberries and sloes there are in the hedgerows, and the amazing … Read More
An appeal for help
St Peter’s Church, Hepworth is one of many medieval churches in Suffolk and dates back mainly to the 14th and 15th century although there has been a church in the site since the Domesday Survey in 1086. It was reroofed … Read More
A Letter to the Editor
The Churches sponsored bike ride and stride will this year be on Saturday 13th September from 9am-5pm. Contact Heather Shelley 07747028096 for details or collect a sponsorship form from the Church. Join us for a good cycle ride visiting many … Read More
From the Rectory – August 2025
A SUMMER OF REST Dear Friends, As we move into August the lanes are edged with wildflowers, the bees are humming in the churchyard, and the days are lengthening into those beautiful light evenings that feel like a gift. Summer … Read More
Ride + Stride Thanks
Thank you to all the volunteers who sat in Hepworth Church during the “Ride + Stride” for the Suffolk Historical Churches Trust, on the 14th September. There was a huge amount of support – we were the only church with … Read More
Letter from the Rectory this month
by Lay Elder Ken Smith I wonder if you have ever sat down and really thought about what you are worth? I don’t mean financially, I mean as a human being? If we are honest with ourselves there are times … Read More
Hepworth Harvest Festival Service
Harvest Festival Service @ St Peter’s Church, Hepworth. Sunday, 1st September @ 1500 Everyone’s Welcome -please join as we celebrate God’s goodness.
June Letter from the Rectory
Dear Friends and Neighbours, This month on 16th June it is Father’s Day. For many it’s a time to celebrate and be thankful for their father and the father figures in their lives but for others it’s a day that … Read More
Benefice Church Letter
Written this month by Ken Smith the Lay Elder at Hinderclay I love Spring! Not only because it comes on the heels of the season I dislike the most, but because of all the things it represents – renewal, growth, … Read More
Church Yard Clean Up
Saturday, 11th May 2024 @ 0930 Sausage sandwiches provided! Contact Jane on 01359 250 347 to offer help.
Parallel Thoughts?
In recent weeks we have celebrated the Rising of the Son as well as witnessing the increasing influence of the sun as new growth emerges and unfolds. The succession of spring flowers emerging from apparently barren ground has once more … Read More
A letter from the Rectory – April 2023
Dear Friends & Neighbours, I love a good story …don’t you? I grew up loving Beauty and the Beast, C.S Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the Last Battle and I love the classics like Pride and … Read More
King’s Voices Choir
St Peter’s Church, Hepworth Please join us for Choral Evensong Sunday, 26th March at 6:00pm Revd Dr Stephen Cherry, Dean of Kings’s College, Cambridge will lead the service, with the King’s Voices Choir, directed by Ralph Woodward. There will be … Read More
A Letter from the Rectory : February 2023
Dear Friends I’m writing this letter in the middle of January and it’s wet and cold and grey outside. I’ve just spent half an hour on my exercise bike desperately trying to keep my New Year’s resolution to get fit … Read More
Letter from Rev. Cathy Bladen
Dear Friends & Neighbours, As we head into Autumn, I’m reminded of the words from Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 that were read at the Queen’s Service of Remembrance at Edinburgh Cathedral; ‘There is a time for everything, and a season for every … Read More
From the Benefice – A letter from Andrew Bladen A church Lay Elder
We are approaching holiday season again, perhaps a time to go away, or to simply holiday at home, perhaps taking time to go to the beach or simply to go out for walks. Taking time out every now and again … Read More
St Peter’s Church, Hepworth – Opening Times
From now until the end of October the Church will be open Daily 10 – 4 for private prayer and reflection. You are most welcome.
A Retirement at Hepworth Church
Sunday 1st May saw Chris Anderson take his last service at St Peter’s Church. Chris and his wife Pat are retiring from church duties after forty three years of devoted and tireless work. Chris served as Church warden in the … Read More
Magazine letter June 2022 from Ken Smith, Benefice Church Lay Elder
Dear Friends & Neighbours When I was a young teacher I got to know our local Ixworth policeman quite well. My occasional visits to the police station tended to be to plead with him to give some lad or another … Read More
From the Benefice – A Time to Pray & Help
At this time of writing, the world is very concerned with the situation in Ukraine. The news is dominated with the terrible events happening since the Russian invasion. During one of the regular news bulletins, the correspondent moved inside a … Read More
Church Services Across The Benefice – March 2022
Date Church Time Service Wednesday 2nd March Ash Wednesday Service Hinderclay 7pm Holy Communion Sunday 6th March Barningham 11.00am Holy Communion Hepworth 9.30am Village Service Hopton 9.30am All Age Thelnetham 9.30m Holy Communion Sunday 13th March Coney Weston 9.30am Holy … Read More
Message from the Rector
Dear Friends & Neighbours, Happy March… According to the meteorological calendar, Spring starts on the 1st March…I think most of us are pleased to see the bulbs beginning to appear, the evenings drawing out, the hedgerows greening up and the … Read More