Help Restore St Peter’s Historic Clock and Altar Frieze – Your Support Matters!

For centuries, St Peter’s Church has stood as a landmark of faith, history, and community in Grandborough. Today, we are calling on our community, friends, and supporters to help us preserve two of the church’s most treasured features:

· The eighteenth-century church clock, a beloved timepiece and local landmark, now in urgent need of repair.

· The ornate altar frieze, a striking centrepiece behind the altar, which requires restoration to protect its historic and spiritual beauty.

By contributing to this appeal, you will be helping to safeguard these remarkable pieces of history for generations to come.

Why This Restoration Matters

Restoring Our Historic Church Clock

For over two centuries, the St Peter’s church clock has stood as a symbol of reliability and heritage for Grandborough. It has guided our community through the rhythms of daily life, with its chimes marking the passage of time. Farmers speak of hearing the reassuring sound of the clock striking during long nights tending livestock, and its presence is deeply woven into the fabric of our village.

However, time has taken its toll. The clock is increasingly malfunctioning, struggling to keep time, and sometimes stopping altogether. If not repaired soon, we risk losing this extraordinary piece of eighteenth-century craftsmanship—a clock that still retains its original, rare wrought iron “birdcage” frame, making it one of the few surviving examples of its kind in the country.

With expert conservation, we can restore the clock to full working order, allowing its chimes to continue marking time for our community and enhancing our village landscape for years to come.

Repairing the Beautiful Altar Frieze

Behind the altar, the church’s striking English Gothic Revival altar frieze, carved from Caen stone, has been a spiritual and artistic centrepiece since 1849. It features beautifully painted slate panels inscribed with the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles’ Creed—core elements of Christian faith and teaching.

However, the altar frieze has suffered from structural movement and environmental damage, causing visible cracks and deterioration. In its current state, it detracts from the beauty and sacred atmosphere of the church.

Our restoration project will repair and conserve this historic feature, ensuring it remains an inspiring focal point for worship, reflection, and education for years to come.

If you would like to make a donation to help with this restoration, please refer to our Donating page which details the various ways you can do this.