St Luke's Church, Kew facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Luke's Church, Kew |
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| Kew St. Luke | |
St Luke's Church, Kew
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| Location | St Luke’s Church, The Avenue, Kew, Richmond TW9 2AJ |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Founded | 1889 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Goldie, Child and Goldie |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 1889; redesigned 1983 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Kew, St Luke |
| Deanery | Richmond & Barnes |
| Archdeaconry | Wandsworth |
| Diocese | Southwark |
St Luke's Church, Kew is a special church located in Kew, which is part of London. It belongs to the Church of England. This church is also a member of a group called Churches Together in Kew.
St Luke's Church works together with another church, St Philip and All Saints (the Barn Church). They form a united group called the benefice of Kew. The current leader of St Luke's Church is Rev Dr Melanie Harrington, who started in June 2021.
The church building was designed by architects Goldie, Child and Goldie. It was built in a style known as Gothic Revival, which looks like old medieval churches. Today, St Luke's Church is not just a place for worship; it also hosts the Kew Community Trust and acts as a community centre for everyone.
Contents
History of St Luke's Church
Why St Luke's Was Built
Kew became much more populated when the District line train service was extended to Richmond. A train station opened at Kew Gardens, bringing more people to the area. To serve the growing community, a temporary church was first set up. This was a "tin tabernacle," which was a church made from corrugated iron sheets. It was later used as a club for working men.
Building the Permanent Church
St Luke's Church, located on The Avenue, was built in 1889 to replace the temporary iron church. The original plans for this large Victorian church included a tall spire, but it was never built.
Modern Changes to the Church
In 1983, St Luke's Church was redesigned. A small tower was added, which now has a lift inside. During this redesign, a smaller area was created for church services in what used to be the chancel (the part of the church near the altar). This change allowed the main part of the church, called the nave, to be used for community activities. A second hall was also built in a loft area, adding more space for the community.
A Special Leader
From 1986 to 1991, a person named Timothy Beaumont, Baron Beaumont of Whitley was the priest in charge at St Luke's. He was also famous for being the chairman of the Liberal Party in the United Kingdom.
Community Activities at St Luke's
The community areas inside St Luke's Church are currently used by the Kew Community Trust. This Trust runs a main activity called the Avenue Club. It is a non-profit social centre. This means it doesn't aim to make money. Instead, it offers many fun activities for everyone in the community to enjoy.
Gallery
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The south porch, which is an entrance area.
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The chancel, the part of the church where the altar is.
See also
- The Barn Church, Kew
- St Anne's Church, Kew
- Victoria Working Men's Club
