St Saviour's Church, Iford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Saviour's Church |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Church of England |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Active |
| Year consecrated | 1936 |
| Location | |
| Location | Iford, Dorset, England |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Church |
St Saviour's Church is a special building in Iford, Dorset, England. It's a Church of England church, which means it's part of the main Christian church in England. A 'parish church' serves a local area, like a neighborhood. This church was designed by an architect named Frederic W. Lawrence and first opened its doors in 1936.
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Building St Saviour's Church
St Saviour's Church was built for the people of Iford. Iford is a part of Bournemouth and was growing very quickly in the 1930s. By 1934, about 5,000 people lived there, and even more were expected to move in.
In 1934, a church leader named Rev. C. W. C. Browne asked for money to build a new church. He needed about £10,000. People helped by donating, and by 1936, most of the money was raised.
Designing the Church Building
Mr. Frederic W. Lawrence from Bournemouth created the plans for the church. His design was inspired by Romanesque architecture, which is a style of building from a long time ago. It often uses round arches and strong, thick walls.
The first stone of the church was placed on August 14, 1935. A company called Mr. Frank Grigg & Sons built the church.
Opening Day for the Church
St Saviour's Church was officially opened on September 22, 1936. This special event is called a 'consecration'. The Bishop of Winchester, Right Rev. Cyril Garbett, led the ceremony.
The opening was a very important day for Iford. It meant that Iford now had its own parish, and St Saviour's became its main church.
Church Design and Features
St Saviour's Church is built with many different colored bricks. Inside, the walls are smooth with plaster. The roof is made of tiles and asphalt.
The church was designed to hold 462 people. It has a main area called the nave, and two side areas called aisles. There is also a chancel, a Lady chapel, and rooms for the organ, choir, and clergy.
Modern Additions to the Church
In 1994, a new two-story church hall was built next to the church. This hall was recognized for its good design and won an award.
Later, in 2012, a modern glass building called "the Link" was added. This connected the church to the new hall, making it easier for people to move between them.
Community Activities at St Saviour's
St Saviour's Church is very active in its local community. It hosts many events for people of all ages.
Fun Events for Everyone
The church is known for its yearly "Light Party" around Halloween. This offers a fun, family-friendly alternative to traditional Halloween celebrations. They also hold special Christingle services at Christmas time.
Groups and Support for All Ages
The church works hard to be a key part of the community. They have weekly social events and groups. They even have a youth worker and a children's worker. These staff members organize weekly groups just for young people in the area. There are also groups for older adults, like those over 60, and many other groups for everyone in between.
