Diameter: 17.5" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Thomas II Mears 1842
Dove Bell ID: 57211 Tower ID: 21883 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Luton: Christ Church
Diocese of Rochester
Church, 631137
http://www.luton.churchOverview
Grid reference: TQ 773 666
Since the passage aisles are embraced by the sweep of the tiled nave roof (with only a slight change of pitch), the exterior of the church has a low, spreading appearance. The double transepts and the hipped roof at the west end of the north aisle show a free handling of the gothic style which suggests Arts and Crafts influence (as one might expect from this architect).
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave of five bays with passage aisles for three bays and cross-gabled transepts for two bays; south-west tower, also forming the porch; chancel with north vestry and south organ chamber.
Footprint of Church buildings: 590 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was designed by E.R. Robson and built in 1883-5. The foundation stone was laid on 23 June 1883 by The Hon. J.S. Gathorne Hardy, MP, and the completed church was consecrated by Dr. Thorold, Bishop of Rochester, on 14 July 1885. The builders were Messrs. Naylar and Son of Rochester and the total cost was about £6,000 to which the Incorporated Church Building Society gave £1,000. The south porch was heightened with the addition of a tower and copper spire in 1926 to designs by Farley Cobb. Edward Robert Robson (1836-1917) was born in Durham and, after spending three years in practical building work, became a pupil of John Dobson and then of G.G. Scott.
Exterior Description
Since the passage aisles are embraced by the sweep of the tiled nave roof (with only a slight change of pitch), the exterior of the church has a low, spreading appearance. The double transepts and the hipped roof at the west end of the north aisle show a free handling of the gothic style which suggests Arts and Crafts influence (as one might expect from this architect). Robson had intended an exhibitionist south-east tower (the obvious position for a church on this site) and that the later south-west tower above the porch is not his responsibility.
The south side of the church faces the road, and has a pleasantly varied aspect. First, at the west end, is the tower, with Robson's main doorway at the foot, with three receding orders of shafts and moulded arches, the corners being flanked by angle buttresses. There is a small cinquefoiled light above, and then the work of 1926, with differently laid stonework, the upper stages approached by a turret at the north-west angle beside the nave. The clock face on the south and a small loop to east and west are all the openings of the middle stage, and the upper stage has small two-light bell-openings within square recesses which are derived from Kentish examples. The parapet has a simple moulding without battlements, and within it rises a short copper-clad spire capped by a cross.
The bays of the aisle east of the tower have to pairs of windows each, the windows with cusped ogival heads but no hoodmoulds or labels, and the north flank of the nave is the same (without, of course, the tower). Then come the paired transepts, with three-light windows in each gable to north and south, the lights with ogival heads between mullions which run through vertically to the window arches. The west wall of the nave has three windows, a tall central light with cusped head flanked by two-light openings with cinquefoils as tracery. All have moulded surrounds and sills at the same level. The central light is surmounted by an odd canopy with two blind panels and three pinnacles in front of a vent to air the roof-space. The only buttresses on the building are at the corners of the east and west walls, very shallow but with gablets enclosing decorative blind tracery.
The chancel has a vestry under a hipped roof on the north side which precludes any windows, but on the south side has a Y-traceried window with cusping to the east of the cross-gabled organ chamber. The east window is of five lights, the central one rising the full height of the window and the outer lights lower, with cinquefoils above.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1891
The east window is by C.E. Kempe, 1891, of five lights, and depicts The Nativity with The Crucifixion above and The Annunciationto the left, The Angel and the Shepherds to the right; there are also figures of four Old Testament prophets, angels with censers in the cinquefoils above. and angels with the sun and moon in the tracery lights each side of The Crucifixion.
Stained Glass
1891
South chancel : two-light window by Kempe depicting Melchisedek and King David.
Stained Glass
1926
North aisle: a two-light window depicting The Marys at the Sepulchre, by M.H. Minter, with simple figures and rather pale colours.
Stained Glass
One light in the tower, depicting Christ the Carpenter, by Minter
Interior
Interior Description
The interior of the church is reached through the porch in the base of the tower, where the upper parts of the walls are frescoed with scenes typical of the date (1927), which blend biblical subjects with contemporary people and places. The two west bays of the nave were divided from the others in 1968 by folding doors, and are used for various purposes. They have narrow passage aisles to north and south with alternating cylindrical and octagonal pillars and double-chamfered arches. The walls are painted pink, and the window reveals are white. The roof of the nave, an open timber construction, with scissor-braces to the pricnipal rafters, is a particularly notable feature of the building.
The passage aisles open at the east end into the double transepts which were probably originally intended as chapels, though only the north one is at present arranged as such. The floors throughout the nave are paved with wood blocks.
The chancel floor is two steps above the level of the nave and is paved with red brown and buff tiles. The chancel arch is broad, supported on shafts on corbels. The chancel was refurnished in 1914, when the floor was extended slightly further west and a low wooden screen was provided. This work was all done to designs by H.F. Traylen. The lower parts of the walls were also panelled in oak at this time, all the work being carried out as a memorial to a previous incumbent. There are no architectural features of special note, but the roof is boarded and there is an ogee-headed piscina in the south wall of the sanctuary.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
1914
The altar is an oak frame.
Reredos
1896
The reredos was designed by C.E. Kempe and is in the form of a triptych with a central section carved with a representation of The Manifestation flanked by figures in niches of St. Peter and St. Paul and enclosed by panelled doors.
Pulpit
1885
Of oak, in the Perpendicular style, octagonal on a stone base with blind tracery in each face of the body.
Lectern
The lectern is an oak eagle.
Organ (object)
1874
The organ was originally built by T.C. Lewis in 1874 and was given to the church in 1887.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 773 666
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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