The new St Luke's is situated in the middle of Buckfastleigh and was consecrated by the Bishop of Exeter in October 2002.  Buckfastleigh is easy to find, just off the A38 half way between Exeter and Plymouth.

 

Take the Dart Bridge/Buckfastleigh turn off the A38, turn right off the slip road over the bridge and then left at the mini-roundabout.  Follow this road along past the town on your right.  You will come to a sign "Town Centre" opposite a high wall and quarry on your left.  Take this road back towards the centre of town and park in the car park on your right.  From there you will see St Luke's which is just a little further along this road on the right.  From the Plymouth direction take the Dean/Buckfastleigh turn off the A38 at the bottom of the hill.  Turn right off the slip road and follow this road until you come to the turning described above.

 

The Architect was Mr Ron Weeks, chairman of Percy Thomas Partnership, London

The Structural Engineers were Giffords of London and Southampton

The Quantity Surveyors were Smerdon and Jones of Plymouth

The Builders were ROK Build of Exeter

 

As a church we were most grateful for their dedication and expertise.

 

Thank you to Peter Thornhill of  GS Multimedia Web-Hosting for setting up and continued much valued help and advice in maintaining this website.

Photographs on this website are by Geoff Oakshott.

 

First and foremost St Luke's is a Church, but such is the layout of the building with its lounge – hall – meeting rooms – kitchen that it is not only a resource for the Church but also to the whole community.  It is now being used seven days a week spanning the age range.

 

St Luke's in partnership with Lee Abbey, a well known Christian Retreat and Conference Centre on the North Coast of Devon, will be arranging day conferences together in Buckfastleigh.  The last one was held on 4 March with the subject "Rural Mission - a Changing Scene: a New Response"  For further details please see the Events page.

 

 

 

St Luke's from Plymouth Road

 

Notes on the Design

 

The new St Luke’s has been planned as a place of worship and prayer in the middle of the community with additional facilities to enable the building to be used every day of the week. 

 

The sanctuary is a large area, around which are grouped 250 chairs with an aisle in the middle.  Glass doors lead to the lounge where extra seating can be arranged if required.  Another set of glass doors lead to a chapel on the far side. 

 

The main entrance is positioned at the side so that you walk in past the font and baptistry, symbolically through baptism into the church.  Lettering is sandblasted into the floor “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life’ says the Lord, ‘no-one can come to the Father except through Me”.  A light and airy atmosphere is created by use of glass and white painted walls, also giving the church an open and welcoming feel.

 

Once inside the church the soaring height of the hexagonal space makes an unforgettable impression.  Light comes in through the glazed areas at a high level so that the artificial theatre type lighting is only needed on dark days. 

 

The pattern in white, terracotta and black with a blue background on the sanctuary floor was inspired by a visit to the cathedral in Siena in Tuscany and adapted to the hexagonal shape.

 

The prayer chapel near the entrance has glass blocks interspersed with stained glass windows from the old St Luke’s church which was demolished to make way for the new building.

 

There is also an outreach office for administration purposes.  We have a secretary here on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and the telephone number is 01364 643120.

 

The Fleche which can be seen at the top of the church roof on the design picture is under construction and will be put into place as soon as it is ready. This completes the building from outside and will mean that whichever way you look at the church you will be able to see a cross within the design of the fleche. See Video soon HERE

 

Services

 

We belong to the Evangelical wing of the Church of England to proclaim the good news seen in the Gospel, to teach the Apostolic Faith and to encourage each other in Christian Worship, fellowship and Service. We have recently signed a covenant with the Methodist Church and URC Church to formalise the ministry we have been doing together for the last ten years.  Many of our activities are jointly with the Methodist Church including joint services, prayer groups and Alpha courses.

 

The Worship is based mainly on Common Worship, the main services being Holy Communion, Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and Family Service.  On the third Sunday in the month at 6 pm we have a informal Nu Life Service, and on the fifth Sunday of the month at 6 pm we have an opportunity to discuss a relevant Christian topic.  Also as we are keen to promote children and youth work, St Luke's has its own Youth Worker and a part time family worker.

 

St Luke's has been pleased with the response to its 'Early Bird' services, a new initiative started in autumn 2004, which now takes place on the second Sunday and the fourth Sunday of each month at 9.15 am starting with breakfast at 8.30 am for those who wish to come. Another Early Bird service is starting in September. Aimed at people of all ages who may enjoy a more informal service, and would like a gentle re-introduction to worship and the Christian faith, the services are led by a lay team.  Recently we have acquired a music group which has very much enhanced the worship. We also use PowerPoint, drama, visual aids, bible readings and a talk. In September a new initiative "Night Church" is planned and more details are available on the Events Page

 

The Ministry Team consists of the Vicar, NSM, and a Reader.  Our new Youth Worker is Walter Wandera, coming to us from Uganda.  He is very musical  voice, and is a basketball player.  We welcome him to Buckfastleigh.

 

Since the new church has been opened the congregation has been steadily growing.

 

 "Early Bird" All Age Service

2nd and 4th Sunday in the month at 9.15 am

Friendly informal worship for all ages

families with small children,

teenagers and the curious

Breakfast at 8.30 am

Everyone welcome

Coffee afterwards

 

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 1st Sunday in the month

8 am Holy Communion

10.30 am Family Service

alternating with St. Luke's and the Methodist Churches

6 pm Holy Communion

 

2nd Sunday

9.15 am Early Bird Service with

Breakfast at 8.30

10.30 am Holy Communion

6 pm Evening Prayer

 

3rd Sunday

8 am Holy Communion

10.30 am Morning Prayer

6 pm Nu-Life Service

 

4th Sunday

8.30 Early Bird with Breakfast

10.30 am Holy Communion

6 pm Holy Communion

 

5th Sunday

10.30 am Holy Communion

Traditional Service

6 pm Discussion Group

 

Sunday Special takes place during the 10.30 am Sunday Service

(when it's not a Family Service) and caters for children.

Some of the time is spent on Christian teaching,

followed by a game or other activity.

 

Each Sunday there is a joint service in the Methodist Chapel at Buckfast Abbey at 3 pm, all are welcome.

Our music group has already begun!  Thanks to Reagan who played the keyboard. Reagan has returned to Kenya and we welcome Walter Wandera. We now have guitars, flutes, another keyboard and a set of drums...  Come and listen at the Early Bird services and the joint family services, and join in.  On behalf of St Luke's we give you a warm welcome to our services.

 

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