Ipswich has no campus university - in fact, no university at all, and there isn't one anywhere in Suffolk. Suffolk also has no cities, and no motorways, although the 20th Century by-passing of the county is greatly exaggerated. But this building is so reminiscent of campus architecture that it can only be intentional. And we find it on Stoke Park, the most architecturally homogenous of Ipswich's housing estates, with the benefits of hills, parks, and wooded areas. That it is also now a district with high crime and urban poverty is probably not the place's fault.

I am indebted to Mortlock for telling me that this fine yellow-brick building was constructed in 1975 - it looks earlier, and has the optimism of the previous decade. However, much of what you see is an eighties extension. Like many suburban Anglican churches, its liturgical role is secondary to its use for community purposes - many local people will know this building well, and use it regularly, without ever attending a service.

The high pitched roofs and wide open windows are reminiscent of the work of the major Ipswich architects Johns, Slater and Howard - a tragedy that the only church they ever built, Elmsett Methodist Church, is currently being demolished; although their finest hour, Sprites Schools, is only a mile or so from here. But Mortlock tells me that St Peter was by Marshman, Warren and Taylor. The main beams are secured by chains that also direct the downflow into drains - an eccentric idea at the time, but one increasingly found in the decades afterwards.

It would be pointless to dissect this building room by room. Beyond the foyer lie the main hall, sanctuary and community rooms; but its success is in its grand vista, the last gasp of optimistic post-war architecture.

I am glad that this building serves a useful community purpose, because Stoke Park is a pretty dreadful place these days - the adjacent shopping centre would be the first place to go to in Suffolk if you wanted to get mugged or sold drugs in a hurry. I am glad that the church is part of the South West Ipswich team ministry, who have successfully rejuvenated the parish system in this part of town, here and at St Mary Stoke and St Francis, Chantry. As the Church of England retreats from public view, places like this will increasingly need to find new community roles. I am glad it is a fine building, but it grieves me that, on this day of the 2002 Suffolk Historic Churches Bike Ride, out of 50 Anglican churches I visited, this was the only one that was closed.

St Peter Stoke Park can be found in the middle of the estate. Leave the town centre on Belstead Road (by St Mary Stoke) and travel southwards for two miles or so.

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