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 Church of England parish church located in Iford, a community in Dorset, England. It was designed by an architect named Frederic W. Lawrence and officially opened its doors in 1936.
Contents
History of the Church
Why Was a New Church Needed?
In the 1930s, the small area of Iford began to grow very quickly. By 1934, about 5,000 people lived there, and the town was expected to double in size soon. With so many new families moving in, the community needed its own church.
In February 1934, a local church leader, Reverend C. W. C. Browne, asked for help to raise money for the new building. The goal was to collect £9,500, which was a lot of money back then. The community worked together, and by September 1936, they had nearly reached their goal.
Building a Brand New Church
The plans for the church were created by Frederic W. Lawrence, an architect from Bournemouth. He was inspired by an old style of building called Romanesque architecture. The first stone, known as the foundation stone, was laid on August 14, 1935.
The church was officially opened and blessed in a special ceremony on September 22, 1936. This event was led by the Bishop of Winchester, Cyril Garbett. From that day on, Iford became its own parish, and St Saviour's became its official parish church.
Architecture and Design
St Saviour's is built from bricks of many different colours. Inside, the walls are covered in smooth plaster, and the roof is made of tiles. The church was designed to hold 462 people. It has a main central area called a nave, a special chapel, and rooms for the choir and church leaders.
Over the years, the church has added new buildings. In 1994, a two-story church hall was built next to it. Its design was so good that it even won a special award. In 2012, a modern glass building called "the Link" was added to connect the church and the hall.
A Hub for the Community
St Saviour's is a busy place that offers many activities for everyone in Iford. It is famous for its "Light Party," a fun and positive alternative to Halloween. The church also holds popular Christingle services during the Christmas season.
The church works hard to be a central part of the community. It runs weekly social groups for people of all ages, from kids and teens to adults over 60. To support young people, the church has a youth worker and a children's worker who organize regular events and groups.
