Auckland Castle’s historic St Peter’s Chapel steps into the television spotlight when it featured in Songs of Praise.
The chapel was a focal point for last weekend’s episode of the popular BBC1 religious show, which also features Auckland Castle Trust chairman Jonathan Ruffer.
The programme, presented by BBC Breakfast host Bill Turnbull, was filmed at the castle – home to Europe’s largest private chapel – at the end of August.
The episode also explored a handful of other fascinating private chapels around the country, including Stonor Park in Oxfordshire and Ripon College at Cuddesdon.
A congregation of nearly 150 people gathered in St Peter’s Chapel for the filming and raised the roof with a selection of traditional hymns, including Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire.
Written in the early medieval period and translated from the original Latin by the 17th century theologian and Prince Bishop of Durham John Cosin, who resided in Auckland Castle, it is one of the oldest hymns in the Church to have remained in constant use.
St Peter’s Chapel was originally a medieval banqueting hall and was renovated by Bishop Cosin into a spiritual space and consecrated on St Peter’s Day in 1665.
Since then the chapel has undergone many changes, including the addition of a Father Smith organ in 1688 and the creation of the magnificent stained glass windows commissioned in the 19th century by Bishop Joseph Lightfoot.
The chapel is still used as a place of worship once a month when the Reverend Caroline Friswell holds an evensong service.
Songs of Praise was broadcast at 5.30pm on BBC1 on Sunday 7th September.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
