St Stephen's Church, Bournemouth facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Stephen's Church, Bournemouth
View from the southeast
50°43′24″N 1°52′51″W / 50.7232°N 1.8807°W / 50.7232; -1.8807
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Anglo-Catholic
Website	Official website: http://btcp.org.uk/who-we-are/st-stephens/
History
Dedication	Saint Stephen
Administration
Parish	St Peter with St Stephen
Deanery	Bournemouth
Archdeaconry	Bournemouth
Diocese	Winchester
Province	Canterbury

St Stephen's Church is a special church in Bournemouth, England. It belongs to the Church of England and follows a tradition called Anglo-Catholic. This means it has some practices that are similar to older Christian traditions, like having a special place for prayer called a lady chapel. People often come here for quiet prayer and to show devotion to important figures in their faith.

The church is located near the busy Bournemouth Town Centre and the green space of Meyrick Park.

History of St Stephen's Church

St Stephen's Church was designed by a famous architect named John Loughborough Pearson. It was built to remember Alexander Morden Bennett, who was the first vicar (or priest) of another church nearby, St Peter's Church, Bournemouth.

The church is built using two types of stone: Purbeck stone and Bath stone. The main part of the church, called the nave, was built first, between 1881 and 1883. The area around the altar, known as the chancel, was added later, from 1896 to 1897. The tall tower was the last part to be finished, between 1907 and 1908.

Because of its special design and history, St Stephen's Church is a Grade I-listed building. This means it's considered a very important historical building in England and is protected.

Who Has Led St Stephen's Church?

The church has had many vicars (priests) who have guided its community over the years. Here is a list of some of the people who have served as vicar:

Church seen from the northeast

• 1881–1911 Fr Alexander Sykes Bennett
• 1911–28 Fr George Philip Trevelyan
• 1928–44 Fr Philip Harold Rogers
• 1944–52 Fr Geoffrey Heald
• 1952–58 Fr Francis John Michael Dean
• 1958–62 Fr Charles Edward Burnett Neate
• 1962–70 Fr George Percy Wilkins
• 1970–73 Fr Anthony Douglas Caesar
• 1974–83 Fr John David Corbett
• 1983–87 Fr John Catlin
• 1987–94 Fr Paul Hastrop
• 1994–2012 Fr Robin Harger
• 2009–2023 Fr Ian Terry

Music at St Stephen's

Music is an important part of the services at St Stephen's Church. The church has a large organ built in 1898 by William Hill. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register website. There is also a smaller organ from 1870, which also has its details on the National Pipe Organ Register.

Organists of the Church

Many talented musicians have played the organ at St Stephen's Church. Here are some of the people who have held the role of organist:

• 1881–93 T. J. Baker
• 1894–1930 Henry Holloway
• 1930–35 Percy Whitlock
• 1936–66 Cyril Knight
• 1967–75 Spencer Fackerell
• 1976 Roger Hill
• 1976–82 Cyril Knight
• 1982–88 Ian Harrison
• 1988–94 Anthony Wood
• 1994–2019 Ian Harrison
• 2019– Sean Tucker

Images for kids

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  Viewed from the Bournemouth Eye

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  Main entrance

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  Behind the altar

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  View from the street

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  Front door view

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  Viewed from Meyrick Park

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  Snow covered church

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  Winter scene

See also

• List of new ecclesiastical buildings by J. L. Pearson