St Philip and St James Church, Leckhampton facts for kids
St Philip & St James is a church located in Leckhampton, a part of south Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, England. It belongs to the Anglican faith, which is a type of Christian church. This church has been a place for people to worship for over 150 years. Today, more than 200 people are part of its regular community.
Contents
History of the Church Building
Early Beginnings (1840-1869)
On May 1, 1840, a church named St Philip was officially opened. It was a "daughter church" of St Peter's, meaning it was a new church connected to an older one. A special priest was chosen to lead the services there.
In 1869, St Philip's became its own separate area, called a parish. This meant it had its own leader, known as a vicar. The first vicar was chosen in May of that year.
Building the Current Church (1879-1903)
Just ten years later, the church was too small for all the people who wanted to attend. So, the current church, St Philip & St James, was built. Workers built it around the old church, making it bigger and better. This big building project took three years to finish.
In May 1882, the new building was officially opened by the Bishop of Gloucester. However, it did not have a tall, pointed roof called a spire. The church's foundations were not strong enough to hold a spire. Instead, in 1903, a special square tower with a unique "saddleback" roof was built. This tower was also officially dedicated.
Church Design and Features
The church is built in a style called Victorian Gothic. This means it has tall arches and detailed stone carvings. Inside, there is a beautiful carved stone screen behind the main altar. There is also a painting of a famous Bible story, the supper at Emmaus, in a side chapel.
Until 2020, the church had wooden benches called pews. These pews had carved designs on their ends. Some of these carvings were later used in a new room at the back of the church. The church has a main altar that can be moved. The older, high altar is still sometimes used for special services. The font, which is a basin for baptisms, was recently moved to the center of the back of the church.
A Special Resting Place
In 1963, a special room called a columbarium was built under the church. This room is a peaceful place where the ashes of people who have passed away can be kept. It was the first of its kind in the United Kingdom.
Joining Churches and Modern Updates
By 1982, the St Philip & St James parish had joined with another church area, St James, Suffolk Square. The St James building was first used as a hall, but now it is a pizza restaurant. St Philip & St James is now part of a group of churches in South Cheltenham.
In 2018, the church received permission to make its inside more modern. This included removing the pews to create a flexible space for different activities. However, the main altar area was kept in its original, historic style. Construction work to make these changes began in January 2020.
Church Community and Worship
Styles of Worship
Worship at St Philip & St James includes both traditional and more relaxed styles. The church has a large pipe organ that plays music during services. There is also a choir of adults who wear special robes and sing. Sometimes, a music group joins in, playing mostly acoustic instruments like guitars and flutes.
Teaching and Leadership
The teachings shared in the church usually follow a moderate, open-minded approach. Since 2023, the church has been "in vacancy." This means they are currently looking for a new permanent leader, or vicar, for the church.
