St Luke's Church, Pendleton facts for kids
St Luke's Church is an old and important church in Pendleton, Salford. It stands on a small hill on Liverpool Street. This church is part of the Church of England in the Manchester area. In 1980, it was given a special status as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a very important historical building that needs to be protected.
Contents
Discovering St Luke's Church Design
The church was designed by a famous architect named George Gilbert Scott. He created it in a style called Neo-Gothic. This style looks like the grand churches from the Middle Ages. St Luke's Church first opened its doors in 1865.
Inside the Church: Key Features
The church is built from strong sandstone rocks. It has a simple tiled roof. Inside, you'll find a main area called the nave. This area has tall windows high up, called a clerestory. These windows let in lots of light.
There are also side sections called aisles. Large round columns with fancy carved tops, known as capitals, hold up the tower. The area near the altar, called the chancel, has a beautiful decorated roof. It also has a rounded end, like a half-circle, called an apse.
In 1878, a small chapel was added to the church. This chapel was built to remember Edward Tootal. He was a very kind person who gave money to help the church. The church also has many colourful stained glass windows. Some of these beautiful windows were made by an artist named Charles Eamer Kempe.
The Church Organ: Music and History
The church has a large organ that was first built in 1865. A company from London, William Hill & Sons, made it. In 1947, the organ was rebuilt by a firm from Liverpool. This was done to honor the people from the area who died in the Second World War. Most of the original pipes from 1865 are still there.
For many years, from 1947 to 2006, a very talented musician named Mr. Eric Chadwick played the organ. He was also a professor of organ music. Today, the organ needs a lot of repair work to play properly again.
Protecting a Historic Building
The church building was fixed up in the 1920s. Since then, it has mostly stayed the same. However, the church is now on the National Heritage at Risk Register. This means it needs urgent care. The roof has leaks, which are causing damage to this important historical building.
Important Events at St Luke's
St Luke's Church has been part of some important historical moments.
Emmeline Pankhurst's Wedding
On February 18, 1879, a very famous woman got married at St Luke's. Her name was Emmeline Goulden. She later became known as Emmeline Pankhurst. She was a leader of the British suffragette movement. This group worked hard to get women the right to vote. She married Richard Pankhurst at the church.
See also
- Listed buildings in Salford, Greater Manchester
- List of new churches by George Gilbert Scott in Northern England
