St Luke's Church, Hodnet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Luke's Church, Hodnet |
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St Luke's Church, Hodnet, from the northeast
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| OS grid reference | SJ 612 286 |
| Location | Hodnet, Shropshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | St Luke, Hodnet |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Norman, Gothic, Gothic Revival |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Sandstone, tile roofs |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Hodnet |
| Deanery | Hodnet |
| Archdeaconry | Salop |
| Diocese | Lichfield |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Luke's Church is a historic church in the village of Hodnet, England. It is an active Anglican church, meaning it belongs to the Church of England. The church is part of the diocese of Lichfield. It is considered a very important building and is listed as Grade I, which means it has special historical or architectural interest. The church stands overlooking the beautiful park of Hodnet Hall.
Contents
History of the Church Building
The church building has a long history, starting in the 12th century. Back then, the main part of the church (called the nave) is now the south side of the church. In the 14th century, more parts were added. These included a wide north side (aisle), a special area for the altar (chancel), and a tower.
Later, in 1846–47, some parts were rebuilt. Then, in 1883, the church was changed quite a lot. The north aisle became the new main part of the church (nave) and the chancel. The old nave then became the south aisle.
Church Architecture and Design
St Luke's Church is built from sandstone and has tile roofs. It has a main area (nave) and a side area (south aisle). There is also a chancel, which is where the altar is, with a small chapel next to it. The church also has a south porch, a small room for clergy (vestry), and a chapel on the north side.
The Unique Tower
The church has a very special tower. It is completely octagonal, meaning it has eight sides, from top to bottom. This makes it the only tower of its kind in Shropshire. The tower has three levels. It has narrow windows and two-light bell openings, which are windows where the bells are. The very top has a battlemented edge, like a castle wall. There are also clock faces on two sides of the tower.
Windows and Roofs
The church's nave, aisle, and north chapel each have their own roofs. This creates an unusual look at the east end, with three pointed roof sections (gables). Along the south side of the church, you can see two windows with older, rounded arches above them. These arches are from the original 12th-century Norman style. The large east window, added in 1846–47, has five sections and is in a style called Decorated Gothic.
Inside the Church
Inside, between the nave and the aisle, there is a row of arches (an arcade). These arches are supported by columns that are both round and octagonal. In the south wall, there is a small basin called a piscina, which was used for washing sacred vessels.
The baptismal font is very old, possibly from the 12th century, but it has also been changed over time. Near the east window, there are boards with the Ten Commandments written on them. The wooden pulpit, where sermons are given, is hexagonal and likely from the 18th century. The church also has two old wooden chests from the 17th century and a box for donations to the poor.
Stained Glass and Memorials
The east window in the chancel has beautiful stained glass from 1849 by William Warrington. In the south chapel, there is glass from around 1846 by David Evans, showing the Four Evangelists. Other windows in the chapels have glass from later dates by different artists.
The church has many old monuments. The oldest one is from 1697. There are also monuments from the 18th and 19th centuries. One important monument is for Reginald Heber. He was once the church's rector (a type of priest) and wrote many hymns. He later became a bishop in India and died in 1826. His monument was made by Francis Leggatt Chantrey. At the west end of the church, there are two special lists (Rolls of Honour) remembering men from Hodnet and nearby villages who died serving in World War I.
Music and Bells
The church has a pipe organ with two keyboards, built in 1878. There is also a set of eight bells. Six of these bells were made in 1769 by Thomas Rudhall, and the other two were made in 1947 by Taylor's of Loughborough.
Churchyard Features
At the entrance to the churchyard, there is a lychgate. This is a covered gateway, built around 1870, with a tile roof. It is made of sandstone and has a style similar to the Decorated Gothic period. You walk up six steps to reach it, and there are wooden gates at the entrance. Inside the lychgate, there are stone benches. This lychgate is also a listed building, at Grade II.
Outside the east end of the church, there is a granite war memorial cross. It remembers local people who died in both World Wars and in a conflict in Palestine in 1948. It stands on an area paved with old gravestones that were moved from other parts of the churchyard.
Recent Events
In 2006, the church had some damage to its stonework. This happened after a popular book, The Da Vinci Code, was published. Some people thought the book might contain clues about the Holy Grail and looked for them in places like churches. The damage was near a stained glass window that shows John the Evangelist with a gentle, almost feminine look.
See also
- Grade I listed churches in Shropshire
- Listed buildings in Hodnet, Shropshire
