St Peter’s, Ropley
This clock inside Ropley Church always brings to mind W. H. Auden’s Funeral Blues with its famous opening, “Stop all the clocks.” In this case, though, “stop the clock” feels more fitting. It stands as a stark reminder of the fire that swept through the church in June 2014, almost destroying it. Caused by a power surge, the damage took eight years to repair — but in my view, the wait was worth it.The result is a beautifully warm, light and inviting space that still honours key elements of traditional church architecture, such as the ship‑like roof. Pevsner was never especially enthusiastic about the original building, feeling the Victorians had played fast and loose with it. I like to think he might have approved of the new incarnation.
If you visit, look out for the possible sword marks around the Norman stone door frame. See Facebook or Instagram post for more photos/information.
