Church Of St Luke

The Church of St Luke is a building with a complex history, constructed between 1646 and 1661, incorporating some earlier materials. A significant addition was made in 1826, followed by a further addition in 1933, along with minor alterations. The original 17th century section stands in coursed rubble stone with ashlar dressings and quoins, topped by a graduated stone slate roof with stone coped gables set on plain kneelers. The 1826 addition is built of coursed squared stone with ashlar dressings and a plain tile roof, also with stone coped gables. A distinctive feature is the octagonal stone bellcote on the north gable, with lancet windows on each side, each bearing hoodmoulds and a stone roof with a foliage finial.

The church has a T-shaped layout, with a low, three-bay 17th century section and an 1826 addition set at right angles to the west end. The south gable wall of the 1826 section features steps leading to a pointed, flush doorcase, with a metal clock-face mounted above. The west wall has four large lancet windows with returned hoodmoulds and Y-tracery metal windows with glazing bars. The north wall is largely blank, except for a central buttress, square at the base and octagonal above, which supports the bellcote. The east elevation features a window similar to those on the west wall.

The 17th century section has a three-light Perpendicular east window, and three two-light recessed and chamfered mullion windows on the south side, with a gabled porch between the two western windows. A matching window is found on the north side, alongside a 1933 vestry. The porch has a double-panelled door beneath a plain lintel inscribed ‘JW 1752’, and a stone with an inset lead inscription ‘G 1661 P’ is located to the west. Inside the porch is a simple pointed arched inner door, flanked by stone benches. The vestry has a two-light window and door facing east, and a three-light, flat-headed window on the north side, with semi-circular headed lights and a hoodmould. A datestone inscribed ‘JM 1933’ sits within the gable, above. To the west of the vestry is a two-light window in a 17th century style, and to the east a large buttress.

The interior of the earlier section features raised and fielded panelling to dado height, a 19th century scissor truss roof, and two trefoil-headed painted commandment plaques situated on either side of the altar. The 1826 section has a painted flat ceiling with a moulded plaster cornice, a 19th century organ at the north end, and a 12th century circular font bowl supported on a 19th century octagonal stone stem. A 19th century hatchment hangs above the south door. Plain 19th century pews are found throughout. Two brass plaques are located on the north wall of the earlier section: one is a charity plaque dating from around 1705, and the other is a memorial to Joseph Statham, dating from around 1809.