St Luke's Church, Wallsend facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Luke's Wallsend |
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| 54°59′26″N 1°32′00″W / 54.9905°N 1.5334°W | |
| Location | Frank Street, Wallsend |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Anglo-Catholic / High Church |
| Website | www.achurchnearyou.com/wallsend-st-luke |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Founded | 1887 |
| Dedication | St Luke |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Wallsend St Peter and St Luke |
| Deanery | Tynemouth |
| Archdeaconry | Archdeaconry of Northumberland |
| Diocese | Diocese of Newcastle |
| Province | Province of York |
The Church of St Luke is a special old church in the middle of Wallsend, a town in North Tyneside, England. It's a Church of England church, which means it's part of the main Christian church in England. It's also a 'Grade II* listed' building, which means it's very important and protected because of its history and architecture. You can find it right next to Station Road.
Contents
The Story of St Luke's Church
Why the Church Was Built
Wallsend was growing very fast in the late 1800s. Many people moved there for jobs in coal mining and shipbuilding. Because of this, the local church, St Peter's, became too small. So, in 1887, the area was split, and a new church, St Luke's, was planned for the western part of Wallsend.
Building the Church
The first stone for St Luke's was laid in 1885. The church was officially ready for use in 1887. However, the building work wasn't fully finished until 1906.
A very important person who helped pay for the church was George B. Hunter. He was in charge of the famous Swan Hunter shipbuilding company. Because of this strong link, St Luke's church was often called the 'Shipyard Church'. The shipyard was just down the road!
Joining Churches Again
In 2001, St Luke's church joined back with St Peter's church. This brought the two churches, which were once part of the same area, back together again.
Church Traditions and Style
How St Luke's Worships
St Luke's church was built with a special style of worship called Anglo-Catholic. This means it has a more traditional and formal way of doing church services.
For a while, the church changed to a less formal style. But later, a new vicar named Fr Colin Turnbull brought back the traditional Anglo-Catholic ways of worship.
Amazing Stained Glass Window
Inside the church, the most amazing thing you'll see is the huge window at the very front. It shows a picture of the Crucifixion, which is a very important event in Christian belief.
This window was put in place in 1922. It was a special memorial to remember the brave men from the area who died during the First World War. A talented artist named Wilhelmina Geddes designed it. Many people say it's one of her best works and is of "exceptionally high quality."
Other Interesting Parts of the Church
Church Design and Tower
The church was designed in a style called Early English Gothic. This style is known for its tall, pointed arches and simple, elegant look. The architects were Oliver, Leeson & Wood.
The church's tower is very tall and easy to spot in the Wallsend skyline. It was actually meant to be even taller, with a pointy spire on top! But the ground underneath had quicksand, so they couldn't build it any higher.
The Pipe Organ
The church has a large pipe organ, which is like a giant musical instrument. It was made by a company called Abbott and Smith from Leeds.
A Special Memorial Room
At the back of the church, there are rooms called vestries. These rooms are a memorial to Kathleen O'Brady-Jones. She was the daughter of an early vicar of the church. Sadly, she died in an accident during a church event.
St Luke's in Australia
Did you know there's another St Luke's church in Australia? It's in a place called Wallsend, New South Wales, which is also a suburb of Newcastle. This church was named after the St Luke's church in England!
Church Leaders
Vicars and Rectors of St Luke's
Here are some of the main leaders, called Vicars and Rectors, who have served at St Luke's Church over the years:
- 1887-1892 W.S. Wrenford
- 1892-1908 William O'Brady-Jones
- 1908-1912 R. Nicholson
- 1912-1923 T.W. Allen
- 1923-1933 A. Simpson
- 1933-1943 J.H. Johnston
- 1943-1952 Robert McCaughey
- 1953-1958 Donald MacNaughton
- 1958-1968 Colin Turnbull
- 1969-1971 John Clay
- 1971-1989 Peter Heywood
- 1990-1996 John Inge
- 1996-2001 Richard Deadman
- 2001-2011 Michael Vine (as Rector of St Peter & St Luke)
- 2012-2019 David Sudron (as Rector of St Peter & St Luke)
St Luke's Today
Today, St Luke's Church is more than just a place of worship. After big changes were made to the building in 2009-2010, it has become a community hub.
The back part of the church now has halls and a kitchen. These new spaces are used by many different community groups. Also, the vestries (the memorial rooms) are now home to the Walking With Project. This is a charity that helps people seeking safety and new homes in the North Tyneside area.
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The new Church Hall, a modern space for community events.
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The back of the church's main area has been changed to create new rooms.
