Bishop Mark has consecrated an extension to the graveyard at St. Peter's Church, Waverton. The sizable piece of land was generously donated by the Eaton Estate and will serve the Church's needs for at least the next 100 years. The consecration took place on 16 May 2021.
The land was formerly used for grazing cattle and required some work to convert it into a churchyard in keeping with the existing one. Thanks to the efforts of volunteers from the church community, (local farmers and others) and the temporary introduction of a pair of Jacob Sheep, this was achievable with minimum cost.
Like many churchyards across the county, St Peter's had been running out of space. But they were fortunate in that there was a neighboring field, owned by a generous benefactor, the Eaton Estate.
The Bishop of Chester, Rt Rev. Mark Tanner, preached at the service, beginning with a reading from John 11. 25,26 and the prayer:-
' We are gathered here in the presence of God, for this act of consecration in which we set apart land for Christian burial in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection. '
The Rector, Rev. Jules Beauchamp, then presented The Instrument of Consecration of a Churchyard Extension to the Bishop with the words " Bishop, we ask you to consecrate this ground for the burial of our people."
The Bishop was then led by the Rector around the boundary of the land to be consecrated and invited to make the sign of the cross on the ground with his staff thereby consecrating the land.
He then prayed :-
'By virtue of our authority in the church of God, we do now consecrate and set apart from all profane and common use, this ground, to be a resting place of the dead until the glorious resurrection in the last day; in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.'
The Instrument of Consecration was then signed by the Bishop and witnessed by the Rector. Finally, the Commission required us all to "see that this ground is properly cared for and preserved in a manner worthy of its purpose."