

The congregation of St Peter’s Church in Malvern Link with Cowleigh have come together in a unique effort to raise funds for the conservation of the church by creating a 16 month calendar featuring a treasured embroidered reredos depicting the Adoration of the Magi.
Dating back to 1900-1906 and designed by renowned Arts and Crafts artist Charles M. Gere, the one-of-a-kind reredos altarpiece is in urgent need of professional restoration. Research revealed its precious provenance, strongly linked to Madresfield Court, the 7th Earl Beauchamp, and stitched by the daughters of the Vicar of Madresfield using materials nearly identical to Gere’s Madresfield Chapel Altar Frontal.
Inspired by the biblical story of the Magi journeying to offer gifts to the Christ child, the determined parishioners have created the “Cakes of Adoration” calendar. This unique publication features their favourite homemade cake recipes for each month, connecting the reredos’ sacred subject matter to the church’s long-standing tradition of offering hospitality through baked goods.
“Just as the Magi celebrated the sacred through precious offerings, baking these cakes allows us to honour our ability to continue encountering that sacred adoration scene for years to come,” explained Sheilah Daughtree, one of the calendar’s organisers. “Each cake provides an opportunity to embody the spirit of welcoming modelled by the Magi.”
Priced at £10, the “Cakes of Adoration” calendar will be available for purchase at St Peter’s Church and online. All proceeds will go directly towards funding the much needed repairs to the church.
The members of St Peter’s urge all community members to purchase this special calendar, to help preserve an irreplaceable piece of local ecclesiastical art and hospitality traditions for future generations.
About St Peter’s Church
The Grade II listed St Peter’s Church in Malvern Link with Cowleigh was built in 1866 on land donated by the 6th Earl Beauchamp to serve quarry and brick-kiln workers. Its unique reredos embroidery is one of few surviving works by Charles M. Gere.
For more information or to purchase a calendar please contact:
Esther Partridge-Warner
Tel: 07807976004
