At the heart of the Unesco World Heritage Site in the Town of St George stands a building that quietly tells the story of Bermuda itself. St Peter’s Church, Their Majesties Chappell, is more than an historic landmark — it is a living record of the island’s past and an enduring symbol of the community that has grown around it for more than four centuries.

Recognised for its exceptional architecture and craftsmanship, St Peter’s Church reflects key phases of Bermuda’s history and holds outstanding universal value. Preserving such a site is not simply about protecting a building; it is about safeguarding the stories, traditions, and shared identity that shape our island.

This is the mission that guides the work of The Friends of St Peter’s Church.

For our organisation, preservation is both a responsibility and a privilege. St Peter’s stands as a tangible link to Bermuda’s past, offering residents and visitors alike an opportunity to experience history where it happened. Maintaining the church ensures that future generations will continue to learn from and connect with this remarkable place.

St Peter’s occupies a singular place in Bermuda’s story. It is the island’s first institution, its first church and the site of Bermuda’s earliest meeting of government. Few historic buildings carry such significance, and none face quite the same level of public engagement. No other community church bears comparable public access demands welcoming visitors six days a week.

Today, the church welcomes approximately 35,000 visitors each year. These include more than 600 local students who participate in on-site learning experiences, along with over 100 international students who arrive aboard visiting college training vessels. Every guided tour of the Town of St George, led by certified Bermudian guides, includes a stop at the church, underscoring its significant role in Bermuda’s cultural landscape.

For students especially, St Peter’s offers an unmatched opportunity for place-based learning. Thanks to funding from The Friends of St Peter’s Church, Government P5 classes visit the site as part of the Bermuda National Trust Learning Journey, “The Development of Slavery in Bermuda”.

Within the church and its surrounding grounds students explore topics such as early settlement, architecture, military occupation, enslavement and emancipation, and key moments including the American War of Independence, the War of 1812, and the American Civil War. These experiences strengthen students’ understanding of Bermuda’s history while fostering a deeper sense of identity and belonging.

Yet caring for a structure of such age and significance is an ongoing challenge. Maintaining a structure of such age and importance requires ongoing care and specialised expertise.The Friends of St Peter’s Church works year-round to ensure the site remains preserved and accessible. Our efforts include identifying and funding conservation projects, providing ongoing maintenance, supporting educational programming, and fostering community engagement. Recent restoration work has included repairing blinds and windows, servicing the historic 18th-century clock, maintaining exterior cedar elements, rebuilding collapsed graves, and restoring and painting the churchyard walls.

A key part of this work involves collaborating with skilled Bermudian artisans. Their expertise in traditional masonry and carpentry is essential to preserving the authenticity of Bermuda’s built heritage. By engaging local craftspeople, we not only safeguard historic structures but also help sustain the knowledge and skills that keep these traditions alive.

The church also remains a place where history and community continue to meet. Each year, the Friends host two commemorative services, including the Pilot James Darrell Commemorative Service. This event honours a remarkable Bermudian who gained his freedom through his extraordinary skill as a pilot, later becoming one of the first King’s Pilots and the first Black Bermudian to own property. Held in the church he attended and where he is laid to rest, the service brings together community leaders, Bermuda’s Branch Pilots, the Bermuda Sea Cadet Corps and descendants of Pilot Darrell to celebrate a legacy that speaks powerfully to resilience and achievement.

The work of The Friends of St Peter’s Church benefits the entire community. Bermuda’s students, residents, and international visitors all gain from the preservation of this historic site. Our trustees are St Georgians and Bermudians with deep personal connections to the church and a shared commitment to heritage preservation.

Preserving St Peter’s Church is about more than maintaining an historic structure. It is about protecting a place where Bermuda’s story continues to be told, where past and present meet, and where future generations can discover the roots of the island they call home.

· Alison Outerbridge is manager of The Friends of St Peter’s Church. Her op-ed is part of the Third Sector Spotlight Series, a collective campaign co-ordinated by the Non-Profit Alliance of Bermuda. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the value, impact and contributions of Bermuda’s non-profit sector