St Luke's Church, Chiddingstone Causeway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Luke's Church |
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St Luke's Church, Chiddington Causeway. The war memorial is visible to the left of the tower.
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | Luke the Evangelist |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 10 September 1954 |
| Architect(s) | John Francis Bentley |
| Architectural type | Decorated Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 1897-1898 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Rochester |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Luke's Church is a beautiful old building in Chiddingstone Causeway, Kent, in the United Kingdom. It's a Church of England church, meaning it's part of the main Christian church in England. This church is very special because it's a "Grade II* listed" building. This means it's an important historical site that needs to be protected.
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What Makes St Luke's Church Special?
St Luke's was built a long time ago, between 1897 and 1898. It was designed by a famous architect named John Francis Bentley. He used a style called Decorated Gothic Revival. This style looks a lot like the old Gothic churches from hundreds of years ago, but it was built much later.
Replacing an Older Church
Before St Luke's was built, there was a simpler church on the same spot. It was called a "tin tabernacle." Imagine a church building made mostly from corrugated iron sheets! These were often used as temporary churches or in new communities because they were quick and cheap to build. The tin tabernacle at Chiddingstone Causeway was put up around 1873.
Who Helped Build It?
The money for St Luke's Church came from a family called the Hill family. A well-known art expert, Nikolaus Pevsner, mentioned this. He also said that a famous painter, John Singer Sargent, suggested John Francis Bentley as the architect. It's interesting to know that St Luke's was the only Protestant church Bentley ever designed. He usually worked on Catholic churches.
Special Art Inside
One of the beautiful features inside the church is the altar window. This window was created by an artist named Wilfrid de Glehn. Altar windows are often very detailed and tell stories through their pictures.
St Luke's Today
Since 2019, St Luke's Church has been part of a group of churches called the High Weald Churches benefice. This group includes churches in nearby places like Penshurst, Chiddingstone, and Fordcombe. Being part of a benefice means these churches work together.
