Before it became a vibrant hub for performance and creativity, the Quarry Theatre held a very different role at the heart of Bedford’s community life. For over two and a half centuries, it was home to St Peter’s Moravian Church, later St Luke’s United Church, a place of worship, fellowship and shared history.
The story of the site stretches back to June 1751, when the foundation stone for the first church was laid. More than a century later, in 1864, the current building took shape. After serving generations of congregants, the church finally closed its doors in 2008, before beginning a new chapter when it was purchased by the Harpur Trust. In June 2015, the building was beautifully reimagined and reopened as the Quarry Theatre.
OB David Fowler (47-56), Stuart Antrobus and Bob Ricketts (all local historians) have conducted a major heritage project over the last few years to celebrate selected aspects of Bedford’s fascinating history and felt that it was time that the Moravian community were celebrated in this way.
June has long been a defining month for the site, making it especially fitting that a Blue Plaque commemorating over 250 years of worship and community should be unveiled this month.
On Friday 19th June 2026, David, Stuart and Bob were joined by Gwen Gribble (one of the last remaining members of St Luke’s congregation and a Moravian Historian), Christine Emanuel (Queen’s Park Moravian Minister), James Pharaoh MBE (Theatre Manager) and Head Master, James Hodgson, to unveil a Blue Plaque acknowledging the Moravian Church’s longstanding history with the building. Gwen had the honour of unveiling the plaque, a poignant moment, especially as it was also her 95th birthday!
The evening continued with a light supper and a cake to celebrate Gwen’s birthday, before guests enjoyed a wonderful performance of the Prep School’s production of ‘Peter Pan’, a fitting reminder of the building’s new life as a place of storytelling and imagination.
Our sincere thanks to David, Stuart and Bob for their dedication and passion in bringing this important heritage project to life.
With over 90 Blue Commemorative Plaques around the town, there are at least 12 with connections to Bedford School. They can all be viewed from the street and are within easy walking distance from the town centre. You can find out more about them here.
