St Luke's

Although it does not have the architectural merit of the three Grade 1 listed churches in the benefice, St Lukes is a much loved part of the local community. 

It was built, but not consecrated, in 1902 on grazing land donated for the purpose, a simple rectangular brick building with a mono-pitch porch and housing for a single bell on the main pitched roof.

It has the doubtful distinction of being the only building in Newport Pagnell which was damaged in the Second World War.  On 17th October 1940, the day before St Luke’s Day, a bomb dropped by a plane on its way to Coventry fell on the front of the church destroying the old porch and west end. The church was rebuilt and consecrated by the Bishop in 1951 and St Luke’s first wedding celebration took place that year.

The expansion of Newport Pagnell meant that St Luke’s had a thriving congregation in the next thirty years. The choir and Sunday School were large and there were plenty of activities for the local community.

The fabric of St Luke’s was in fairly desperate need of repair in the 1960s. The roof was repaired, the porch was refurbished with toilets and a kitchen.

Between 1963 and 1968 stained glass windows were installed. They are among the earliest works of John Nicola Lawson, one of the leading stained-glass artists of his generation.

The roundel above the west door depicts our patron saint, St Luke, holding a pen in one hand and with a copy of his gospel in his arms. On the right you can see the staff of Asciepius referring to Luke’s profession as physician and on the left the winged ox symbolising Luke’s gospel with its focus on Jesus’ sacrifice of himself for the sins of the whole world.

The two smaller panels at the east end of the church are of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Gabriel is on the left and Mary on the right - note the symbols of the Holy Spirit in the form of a tongue of fire on the angel’s forehead and the dove descending towards the blessed virgin. These three windows were made in 1963.

It is perhaps the east window made five years later, that is most interesting. The Last Judgement was donated and designed by Mrs Doris James a local artist, lace maker and regular member of St Luke’s congregation for many years. Mrs James was rather disappointed by the window because she felt the face was too stern.

The artist however apparently liked the design because he revisited it several times later in his career. The most notable example is probably his stained-glass panel Christ the Judge hanging in Rippon Cathedral.

Community activity and engagement has continued since then, including a lace making class in the 70s, playgroups, parties, special services and even an Irish dancing group! The various groups that used St Luke’s at the millennium collaborated to produce an applique´ banner which now hangs above the west door.

At the present time Northern Pastures Preschool uses the church on weekdays until 4pm in term time while Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers use the building in the early evenings and there is still a small but enthusiastic choir!

The congregation at St Luke’s celebrated the church’s centenary with a Bring-and Share Lunch on St Luke’s day 2002 and this has become a regular annual event.

Other regular traditions are decorating the church for Easter with the Easter Garden and the Cross of Flowers, and making the church ready for Christmas: