St Peter’s Church

The Highbridge church

The church first came into being on St Peter’s Day, 29th June 1921, probably to cater for the ever increasing population of both Highbridge and Burnham.

The word “Mission” was first included in its title probably to indicate an affinity with the marine activities of both places, but by 1963 had almost become extinct.

A sister church in the form of a Seaman’s Mission hut was provided at Edithmead at about the same time as St Peter’s was built but the exact date cannot be established. Both places came under the control of St Andrew’s Parochial Church Council but had their own wardens and church funds.

Some services at St Peter’s included Baptisms, Churchings and Funerals. There was one wedding only, 19th May 1946. On some funereal occasions, bodies were received into the church the day before the funeral and lay at rest, in the church overnight.

Services were also held for definitive groups such as Mother’s Unions, Old Aged Pensioners and certain national events. OAPs were very well catered for. St Peters ceased its religious activities in 1975 when it was bought by the church commissioners and then let it out for hire as a hall, pure and simple.

The Wesleyan Church at Burnham-On-Sea:

In November 1896, Burnham saw some 40 to 50 young persons discussing the possibility of forming a Wesley Guild at Burnham, despite there being already one existing elsewhere.

In 1897 a junior section for children over 8 years of age was formed and by 1898 it was so successful that 100 leaflets were printed and a Band of Hope came into existence.

Social activities were many and with the aid of a piano in 1906, musical evenings became more attractive, and outdoor pursuits and festivals well attended.