Building St Peter's Goodwick / Adeiladu St Pedr Wdig
St Gwyndaf’s Church in Llanwnda, founded some twelve hundred years ago, is the Mother Church of St Peter’s. About the year 1874, the people of Goodwick wanted their own “Chapel of Ease” situated nearer to their own homes. The official records refer to this building as “A galvanised iron structure standing on a parcel of steep hillside land about three quarters of an acre in extent.” There were already several Chapels in, or near, Goodwick, but for almost the next forty years, the “Chapel of Ease” was the only Church in the district where Church of England services were held.
Newspaper accounts of the time record that there was a large congregation, and a “good service of singing” every Sunday
It was through the energy and guidance of Rev. Lincoln Lewis the Vicar of Goodwick, 1906-23, that it was decided to build the new church of St Peter’s in 1910. The laying of the foundation stone by Lord Cawdor took place on May 6th 1910. According to the County Echo of the time, the foundations had already been laid and the tower was about a dozen feet in height! Fairly rapid progress in construction was made and by February 6th 1911, the Rev. Lincoln Lewis had procured a license to perform divine services in the new building. By July 1913 this was followed by a license to perform marriages.
When the new Church of St Peter was built in 1910/11, the Tin Chapel became the Church Hall and was used continuously, for many functions, until it was demolished and the present Church Hall built in its place.
Later, the Rev Lincoln Lewis requested the consecration of the Church, this was issued in September 1922. The delay was, no doubt, largely due to the disturbances of the 1914-1918 war and perhaps, also to the difficulties arising from the Dis-establishment of the Church in Wales. On the day of consecration, the procession assembled at the Reading Room (Quay Road) and walked through Main Street, Goodwick, to the Church. The choir and clergy from all over the County headed the procession. Rev Lincoln Lewis was accompanied by his Churchwardens, William Henry Rolf and John Shipton. and followed by the Bishop of St David’s who performed the ceremony. We can imagine that the majority of the population of Goodwick followed them into the Church! Many memorable services have been held at St Peter’s Church over the years.
Another outstanding event was the building of the new Church Hall (situated next to the Church itself), entirely through the voluntary labour of Church members and friends. The new hall was officially opened on May 22nd 1983.
Throughout the 20th century, Saint Peter’s has been the dominant building in Goodwick. Sadly, the Church was closed several years ago because of structural problems.
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