Wanstead United Reformed Church facts for kids
The Wanstead United Reformed Church is a special church located in Wanstead, east London. It's part of the United Reformed Church family. What makes this church really interesting is its history: it was actually built in one place, then taken apart, and rebuilt in another!
This church was first built between 1856 and 1861. It was known as St Luke's Church and stood on Euston Road in St Pancras, London. A talented architect named John Johnson designed it.
But then, a big railway station, St Pancras Station, needed to be built. So, between 1866 and 1867, St Luke's Church was carefully taken down. It was then moved and put back together on its current site in Wanstead. John Johnson also oversaw this rebuilding, making a few changes. In 2009, this unique building was recognized as a Grade II listed building, meaning it's an important historical structure.
The Church's First Home: St Luke's, Euston Road
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St Luke's Church, Euston Road (51°31′46″N 0°07′34″W / 51.529446°N 0.126154°W) was originally a Church of England church. It was located on Euston Road in St Pancras, London.
The same architect, John Johnson, designed this church. He also helped design St Paul's Church, Camden Square. St Luke's was built from 1856 to 1861, right on the corner of Midland Road.
Why the Church Had to Move
In the 1860s, the Midland Railway company needed to build a large train station in London. This station, St Pancras railway station, was planned for the area where St Luke's Church stood. Because of this big construction project, the church had to be taken down.
The church was carefully dismantled in 1866 and 1867. It was then moved and rebuilt in Wanstead, becoming the church we know today. The sale of the church building to Wanstead brought in £526. This money, along with £12,500 from the railway company, helped build a new church. This replacement church, St Luke's Church, was built in Kentish Town.
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