Page 16 - Hindsight Issue 26 April 2020

KetteRIng
800TH ANNIVERSARY OF KETTERING PARISH CHURCH
Kettering 800 Committee
Eight hundred years ago the first Rector of Kettering was appointed and the present-day congregation will be celebrating the anniversary in 2020 with a series of events and inviting the people of Kettering to join in this celebration of an important moment in the town’s history. In this article the Reverend Dr Carys Walsh explains how the community plans to mark the occasion.
the Church of st Peter & st Paul has stood on the present site for over 500 years, and has been at the centre of community life throughout that time. A grade I listed building, the tower and iconic spire stand 180 feet (55m) acting as a sign of Christian worship across the town over the centuries.
Little is known of the origins of the church but its first known priest became rector in 1220. It is this anniversary which will be celebrated starting on sunday 21 June when the Bishop of Peterborough, the Right Reverend Donald Allister, will lead a service of thanksgiving at the Patronal Festival. the two-week-long celebrations will culminate on sunday 4 July with a songs of Praise service. A packed programme of events will include concerts, a flower festival, local history workshops, an art competition, church tours, food, drink and a stage show called ‘Rebel Rectors’ a dramatic exploration of the former rectors of Kettering – the good, the bad and the ugly.
Current Rector of Kettering, the Reverend David Walsh, said, ‘We’ve decided as a church that one of our priorities is to help Kettering rediscover its heart and soul. We want to work with others to help make that happen and so I’m delighted that next year we’ll be partnering with KettFest 2020 and other key players in the town’s life. Heart and soul are a large part of what the church is about and our 800th anniversary gives us a chance to help the town remember what really matters.’
the co-organisers of Kettering 800 include the Reverend Dr Carys Walsh, wife of the present rector, and Jo Pearce whose husband Frank was rector from 1970 to 1994.
Already underway are the 800 Memory Project and 800 prayers for Kettering . 14