St Luke's Church, Charlton facts for kids
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St Luke's Church is a historic church located in Charlton, London, England. It is a Christian church that belongs to the Anglican faith, which is part of the Church of England. This church has been a special place for people in the area for many centuries.
People believe that a church dedicated to St Luke has stood on this very spot since around the year 1077. The main part of the church you see today was built much later, in 1630. A kind and wealthy man named Sir Adam Newton, who lived at Charlton House, paid for this rebuilding.
The church was built using strong Kentish red brick. Over the years, it has been changed and updated several times. These changes happened in the 1600s, again in 1840, and most recently in 1956. Even with these updates, parts of the original walls, made of chalk and flint, have been discovered. These might be from the very first church building.
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For a long time, St Luke's Church was connected to Bermondsey Abbey. This changed around 1607, when the land became owned by Sir Adam Newton. Today, the church follows a style of worship known as the Modern Catholic tradition within the Anglican Church.
Some important weddings have taken place at St Luke's. For example, Anne Shovell, who was the granddaughter of a famous admiral named Sir Cloudesley Shovell, married John Blackwood here on July 28, 1726.
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Famous People Buried Here
St Luke's Church is the final resting place for several interesting people. Two of them were important figures in British history who died in unusual ways.
Spencer Perceval: A Prime Minister's Story
One person buried here is Spencer Perceval, who was a Prime Minister of Great Britain. He was the only British Prime Minister to be assassinated. His story is a significant part of the church's history.
Edward Drummond: A Legal Legacy
Another notable person buried at St Luke's is Edward Drummond. He worked as a personal secretary for several British Prime Ministers. His death led to the creation of important legal rules about insanity, known as the M'Naghten rules. These rules help courts decide if someone is responsible for their actions.
Other Important Burials
Sir Adam Newton, who helped rebuild the church, is also buried here with his wife, Katharine. Many other people who worked for the royal family are buried at St Luke's. These include Edward Wilkinson, who was a master-cook for Queen Elizabeth I, and Brigadier Michael Richards, who worked for King George I. John Griffith, a brigadier under Queen Anne, is also buried here.
The White Ensign Flag
St Luke's Church has a special privilege: it is allowed to fly the White Ensign flag. This is a flag that was used by the British Navy before the Acts of Union in 1800.
The church can fly this flag on the special saint's days of St Luke and St George. This unique right is a recognition of the church's past importance. It used to serve as a clear landmark for ships sailing on the Thames River, helping them navigate safely.
