St Francis's Church, Salisbury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Francis's Church, Salisbury |
|
|---|---|
_(July_2022)_(8).jpg)
The church in July 2022
|
|
| Location | 3 Beatrice Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 3PN |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Evangelical |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Founded | 1930 |
| Consecrated | 1940 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed |
| Designated | 19 November 1990 |
| Architect(s) | Robert Potter |
| Completed | 1938 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Salisbury St Francis |
| Deanery | Salisbury |
| Archdeaconry | Sarum |
| Diocese | Salisbury |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Francis's Church is a parish church in the city of Salisbury, England. It is part of the Church of England and is known for its lively and modern style of worship. The church building was officially opened in 1940 and is located in the northern part of the city.
Contents
The Story of St Francis's Church
The church has a fascinating history that started with a simple wooden hut.
From an Army Hut to a Church
In the 1930s, Salisbury was growing, and new houses were being built in the north. To give the new residents a place to worship, a wooden hut that once belonged to the army was set up in 1930.
By 1937, the area was given its own church district. A spot was chosen on Castle Road for a brand-new, permanent church building. The first stone was laid in January 1939, and the church was completed and officially blessed in 1940.
What Does the Church Look Like?
St Francis's Church was designed by an architect named Robert Potter. It has a modern 20th-century style that makes it stand out.
The main part of the church, called the nave, is very wide. It has tall windows that let in a lot of light. Instead of a traditional long section at the end called a chancel, it has a special chapel with a curved wall, known as an apse.
The church is built with a strong concrete frame, covered in red brick. It has a tall tower on the south side that is 70 feet (about 21 meters) high. Because of its special design, the building was made a Grade II listed building in 1990. This means it is officially recognized as a building of special architectural and historic interest.
In 2006, the church had a major renovation. A new entrance was also added between 2017 and 2018.
Architectural Details
Experts have noticed interesting things about the church's design. Nikolaus Pevsner, a famous writer on buildings, said the church's style is similar to the work of a Swedish architect named Ragnar Östberg. He called the bright, white interior "quite impressive."
Another expert, Julian Orbach, compared the church's red brick exterior to the powerful-looking power stations designed by Giles Gilbert Scott.
The Mystery of the Bells
When it was first built, the church had no bells. Later, it is said that the church got bells from St Giles' Church in Imber. Imber is a village that was evacuated during World War II and is now used for army training.
However, there is some confusion. Another story says that most of the Imber bells were sold for scrap metal, and only one was sent to a different church. So, the exact story of the bells remains a bit of a mystery.
Church Life Today
St Francis's is an active and welcoming church. It is connected with groups like the Evangelical Alliance and New Wine, which are known for a modern and enthusiastic approach to Christianity.
The church services are designed to be fun for families and young people. In 2013, the old church hall was turned into a community center. It is now a space for local people and even has a pre-school.
The church keeps historical records of baptisms from 1930 and marriages from 1940. These old records are safely stored at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre.
