rel 15 St. Peter’s Church Stoke baptisms 1813 -1835.

The history of St. Peter’s Church, Stoke-upon-Trent dates from at least the sixth century as a Saxon Cross still stand high in the churchyard. In fact, it was the wealthiest parish in the UK in 1296 because of all the glebe land it owned. Not only was there a Saxon church but also a Norman Church, the arches of which were rebuilt in the late 19th century exactly on the spot of the original Norman Church.
By the late 17th century, the population of the pottery towns started to expand with workers coming in from the countryside. Slowly it became impossible for the church at Stoke to serve such a large parish. As a consequence, the church was divided into a number of separate Rectories with Glebe to support the Rector of the new parishes.
By the early 19th century, the old church in Stoke became totally inadequate to accommodate the demand, and the decision was taken to erect a new church on glebe land to the north of the existing churchyard. It was dedicated in 1834 with a capacity to seat over 2,000 worshippers.
This essay continues to expand on the churches origins near to the Trent and Fowlhey Brook and covers subject like the Rectory water Mills on the Trent, the list of rectors from the 12th century although the church was listed at the time of Domesday in 1086. A number of rectors were appointed by the Crown for services rendered, in fact, one never set foot in England but was in receipt of the church tithes. Interesting facts are also discussed from the church registers and the In Memory of tiles that surround the church interior walls which make fascinating reading.
Thirteen pages packed full of information and photos

I must have spent hours in researching this material of all those who are listed on the church WW 1 memorial, plus others from Penkhull for whatever reason were not listed.

The list of seventeen pages long  is compiled in alphabetical order and under each name is given the age, under which body ther served under with full military details of their record and well as family details where possable and home address.

For those searching family histories this is a welcome addition to assist in your research.

This fact points to the situation of Church as being a site for early Pagan worship and chosen clearly for its direct location adjacent to a ford across the River Trent. It is from this period that this short account commences which include notes re the first Saxon Church, its dates, history, description followed by the Norman Church which hand in 1876 the two Norman arches re-erected from their remains were found in the water flow to the Rectory Mills.
It continues to describe the churchyard and its history of important graves, the ancient parish registers and Stoke Hall the first rectory with a moat around it and loads more. Nine Pages A4 with lots of photographs.