St. Peter’s Church: Rebuilding the past in Minecraft
Recreating an Essex church with a rich history and an unknown future…
In 1850, the Essex countryside gave rise to a classic example of Gothic Revival architecture. The Church of St. Peter & St. Paul in Birch stands gracefully above the treetops of the small village. Designed by SS Teulon, a man known for his intricate Gothic ornaments, the flint and limestone building has a distinct, clean elegance about it.
From the road that runs through the village, the church seems as it would have almost two centuries ago. The spire that stands over the trees suggests marginal aging. However, as you get closer to the building, the cracks start to emerge. Boards cover the elaborate paintwork that Teulon was known for, and vines crawl up toward the red roof. This Gothic Revival gem in Birch has been in disrepair for over 30 years.
Church of St. Peter & St. Paul, Birch, Essex (Image: Google Maps)
After decades of struggle, and insufficient resources to restore the building, demolition is likely the only option moving forward. In 2020, proposals for the conversion of the church into a residence were shot down amid structural concerns. The community in Birch and beyond has frequently voiced its opposition, but campaigns by local group Save Our Spire along with Historic Buildings & Places to protect the Grade-II listed structure have not yet yielded a desired result.
“Given the issues with costs, marketing, viability, and structural stability of the tower, our focus has now shifted from objecting to demolition to seeking the careful salvage of the reredos by S.S. Teulon…”
When the story of St. Peter’s Church was brought to our attention, we decided it was a compelling building that could be shared through Minecraft. As such, the October edition of our build competition featured the church. The prompt was to recreate the building as it is today, as it was in the past, or how it could look in the future. The contestants produced some impressive recreations…
The winning entry by Brave, featuring the church as it was in the 1850s
While the fate of the church may not be what the residents of Birch had hoped, it is important to recognize the significance of education and awareness in situations such as these. Celebrating historic places will not only allow us to learn from the past, but enjoy buildings like St. Peter’s Church for years to come.
Second place built by FabiSwa and Deltic
A slightly different approach with a new use for the church, but a creative one nonetheless!
Our third place entry by Turtle, featuring a weathered rendition of St. Peter’s.
