St. Peter’s Church stands near to the top of North Hill on its eastern side. It has another entrance to its churchyard from the High Street. It is one of two Anglican churches within the city centre.
The church probably dates back to Anglo-Saxon times. It is first mentioned in Domesday Book in 1086. It is the only church in Colchester mentioned there. It was rebuilt by the Normans in the 12th century. It was an important, wealthy church in a prominent position. In the 14th century a cruciform church with a central tower is shown on early prints of the town.
The tower stood on pillars in a central position between the nave and the chancel and was octagonal in its upper part. It had an octagonal lantern and pointed roof which was too stumpy to qualify as a spire.
In the 15th century the North and South aisles added and the church was extended. It was shaken by an earthquake in 1692, but it was not damaged. By the mid-18th century, the tower had become unsafe and was demolished. A new tower was built at the west end of the building. The chancel was shortened to extend the nave and allow for bigger congregations and the north gallery was added.
In the 19th century the south aisle was extended and the south gallery was added. The south door was sealed and the west door opened. A church hall was built and the vicarage burnt down. The churchyard was closed for burials, a clock was added to the tower and the roof was restored. At start of the 20th century more rebuilding took place and there have been changes since then. The roof was repaired at the start of the current century.
In 1821 the body of Caroline of Brunswick rested overnight in the church on way from London via Harwich to Brunswick where it would be buried. She had been married to George IV, but the marriage had been a disaster and soon they became separated with her then going into exile and having an affair with someone else. When she died, she was not given a royal funeral and attempts were made to stop her cortege passing through London, but rioters who supported her forced it to. Whilst in St Peter’s, a plate was screwed to her coffin proclaiming her the injured Queen of England, but it was removed before the coffin resumed its journey.