History

The first St Luke’s church was built just over 100 years ago because many people found it difficult to get to Holy Trinity church at the top of the hill.

Part of the Sanctuary

 

Following the fire at Holy Trinity in 1992 the Parochial Church Council, after much discussion decided to rebuild St Luke's as a modern church in the centre of the town.  This would be a completely new building to offer the people of Buckfastleigh a modern place of worship for Church of England services and including a lounge and a hall for use by the community.

 

The design of the building started with the wish to seat people close to the altar table and so instead of the mediaeval long narrow church we have a hexagonal shape as well as a separate lounge and a small prayer chapel and an office alongside.  Because the ground slopes we have been able to incorporate a large hall and meeting rooms underneath the ground floor.  All of these rooms are available for use for appropriate activities. The new church is a modern building, rooted in the past but looking to the future.

 

Looking up inside the church

Our architect was Ronald Weeks, Chairman of Percy-Thomas Partnership, an international firm of architects and designers. Ron was responsible for the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Bristol and also for the new Severn Bridge. He was our architect because he was born and grew up in Buckfastleigh where he sang in the church choir and was encouraged to take up architecture by the Rev. Timms who was Vicar at that time.

 

Please remember all of the Christians in this parish are in our prayers, especially those who have found the changes difficult, and also those who have had to make many difficult decisions.

Pray with us that the church, in its worship, fellowship and witness, will convey the Good News that Jesus brings to our world.

 

Holy Fire

This dance and drama performance which we watched on Easter Day 2004 told our own story of the fire at Holy Trinity and subsequent decision to build our new St Luke's here in the town.  It was an imaginative and moving portrayal of what happened here.  The representation of the flames and smoke licking through the stone walls and destroying all that we held dear was particularly emotive.  Then there was the shock and horror on the faces of those who discovered what had happened, and the symbolic retrieval of the cross from the ruins.  After the clearing up and anguish about what to do next, it was inspiring to see hands reaching up towards heaven in prayer.  Then, behold I make all things new!  We saw lots of activity with plans, builders' hard hats and tools of the building trade.  Everybody was very focussed and they all had a job to do.  Finally, to the glorious music of Mozart, here we have the new church all completed – what a moment to savour!  The continuing life of the church was then well represented by the children dancing in and out of the twisting and turning blue river of life, full of energy and vigour.  This is our story and it needs to be told.