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Background
St. Peter’s Altarpiece was added after the Dec. 26, 1849 fire. There is a mention in accounts that the church was in “ruins”. It
destroyed the interior of St. Peter’s Church as well as the steeple, organ and bell. Even the brick structure suffered great dam-
age.
The 1850’s church went through a “remodeling” with a new bell and organ. In that context the altarpiece appeared. There is
no mention of them in the Vestry minutes and no evidence of an earlier altarpiece they may have replaced. Former priest and
historian Ralph Fall said they were place in 1853 which he cited from the
Journals of the Diocese
and the
Account Books of
Philip Lightfoot (1784-1865)
.
This was an unusual addition to a church. They were a reminder of our Colonial heritage when churches in the 18
th
century
were required to display tablets usually on the east wall containing the 10 Commandment, the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. In
the colonial period with few printed books these documents linked the church doctrines to the people.
Today, the altarpiece is our link with both our 19
th
past and the 18
th
heritage as Episcopalians and Christians. Many churches
have removed their tablets . Ours are both part of our worship as foundational blocks of Christianity and part of our heritage.
As such they are an integral part of the church that needs to be preserved and maintained. There has not been a professional
restoration of them since they were installed.
In the pages that follow, we will investigate the 5 parts of the Altarpiece:
Restoration of St. Peter’s
Altarpiece