St Peter's on the Quay, Minehead

St Peter's on the Quay is a small chapel sandwiched between the Old Ship Aground pub and the Echo Beach Cafe.  The building housing it was originally constructed as a storehouse by a local merchant and ship owner called Robert Quirke in c1628.  He intended it to be rented out, with the income generated going towards the upkeep of Quirke's Almshouses in Market House Lane, Minehead.  The almshouses were built in 1630.  The chapel is located in what was originally the outer of two cellars, which were originally called Gibraltar Cellar.  The building was originally thatched.  The inner cellar was demolished when the Pier Hotel (now the Old Ship Aground) was built in around 1899.

According to local tradition, Robert Quirke and his brother were caught in a storm at sea and he vowed that if they survived he would sell both the ship and its cargo and give the proceeds to the poor of Minehead.  The ship eventually reached Minehead and he kept his vow.  The timbers from the ship were used to build the almshouses and the bell in the chapel's bell-cote is said to have come from the ship.

The parish took over the running of the property c1830 but by 1887 it was in a state of disrepair.  In 1899 Rev Francis Etherington, the Vicar of Minehead, turned the upper floor into a seamen's shelter and reading room after. In 1907 the ground floor was converted into a sailors' chapel and in 1910 it was dedicated to St Peter.  Saint Peter was working as a fisherman when Jesus called him to be one of his apostles.  The parish purchased the chapel in 1970.

St Peter's Chapel showing the stairs to the Upper Room

Inside the chapel

St Peter themed altar rail

St Peter was a fisherman before he became one of Jesus's apostles.  His symbol is crossed keys: Jesus promised Peter that he would give him the keys to the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew Ch16 v19).

Stained glass window

St Peter in stained glass

This was given by the James family in memory of Edwin John and Mary Ellen James.