From Saxon Stone to Choral Sound: The Minster Stage

The third stop in our ‘stages’ series

Just a short walk from the riverside and the festival’s Cloisters and Bandstand stages stands one of Godalming’s most recognisable landmarks: the beautiful Church of St Peter & St Paul, now known as Godalming Minster Church Street.

This historic church will host ChoirBLAST’s second indoor stage on 12 and 13 June, offering audiences a chance to experience live choral music in a setting that has been filled with sound and song for centuries.

The church itself is one of the oldest buildings in the town. The earliest foundations date back to the 9th century Anglo-Saxon period, making it far older than the surrounding streets that now form Godalming’s busy centre. Over the centuries the building has grown and evolved: Norman additions appeared in the 11th century, the church was expanded again in the medieval period, and significant restoration work in the 19th century gave it much of the appearance we recognise today.

Inside, visitors can still discover traces of this remarkable history – from a Saxon font fragment dating from around 820–840 AD, possibly among the oldest in England, to medieval wall paintings and historic carvings.

Surrey Fringe Chorus on The Minster stage, ChoirBLAST 2025

But the Minster is far from being simply a historic monument. It remains a vibrant part of Godalming’s community life. With seating for over 500 people, the church regularly hosts concerts, school carol services and civic events, as well as its own rich musical traditions including choral worship, bell ringing and community gatherings throughout the year.

The Minster team first became involved with ChoirBLAST as stage hosts last year and have been wonderfully supportive of the festival. Their enthusiasm for welcoming singers and audiences into this remarkable space makes the church a perfect home for one of the festival’s indoor performance stages.

With its soaring architecture and famously warm acoustics, St Peter & St Paul offers an atmosphere that every choir loves – where voices rise, resonate and linger beautifully in the air. The church also benefits from a high-quality in-house sound system, including microphones and amplification, allowing performing groups to achieve a clear, balanced and professional sound while still preserving the natural resonance of the building.

For festival-goers exploring the riverside stages, stepping inside the Minster promises a moment of musical magic in one of Godalming’s most historic and inspiring spaces.