The Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul (known as the Abbey Church of the Holy Cross) has its foundations in a Saxon church which stood on the same site. A Benedictine Abbey was established in 1083 and its Chapter House held one of England's first democratic parliaments.
A number of features can be seen
witin the grounds and the Church.
The original Norman arches can still be seen although some arches were blocked with walls by Henry XIII and parts of the building demolished after the Dissoulution of the Abbey in 1540.
The lead roof of the tower, laid in 1646-47 is one of the country's oldest lead roofs. The lead itself is embossed with the date and shapes of various sized shoes - this is thought to be an example of early workman's graffitti.
12th century tombs brought from other churches can be seen including that of a priest from the Church of St. Giles. More modern memorials include that of Wilfred Owen, the renowned first World War poet who lived in Shrewsbury.
During the 19th century the church was "Victorianised", the choir stalls and chancel being rebuilt in 1886-7 to the design of the Victorian architect J. L. Pearson.
The Rev.W. H. Draper, Vicar of
the Abbey Church penned the hymn "In our day of thanksgiving" in
1894:
"Those shores that have echoed
their praises are holy,
And dear is the ground where their feet have once trod,
Yet here they confessed they were strangers and pilgrims,
And still they were seeking the City of God."
Currently, services are held as
follows:
Sundays:
9.45 am Parish Communion
4.00 pm Worship at Four
Tuesdays:
8.00 am Holy Communion
Thursdays
12 noon Holy Communion
Exhibitions, concerts and organ
recitals are held throughout the year; details available by telephoning 01743
232723
or e-mail
the Abbey.
Link: www.virtual-shropshire.co.uk/shrewsbury-abbey