Chingford grew rapidly with the coming of the railway in the mid nineteenth century and the existing parish church of All Saints became inadequate to accommodate the larger congregation.

Built in 1844 as a replacement, the church of St Peter and St Paul is listed grade II*. The church is faced with a chequer-board pattern of white bricks, knapped flint panels and stone dressings.

Supported by a repair grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, extensive replacement and repair of the masonry to the spire, which was in a dangerous condition, has been completed.

Slate and asphalt roof coverings have been renewed, stonework at high level repaired or replaced, the stone parapets overhauled and repairs and improvements to rainwater drainage undertaken.