The History and People of St Luke's.
A series of articles written by Kate Brown for the Parish Magazine "Around the Square" recording the history of St Luke's and its people.
The Beginnings of St Luke's
Did you know St Luke's once had its own toilets? and a choir? and a bath chair that the wardens were responsible for hiring out? And that in 1928 a building fund was started to put a church on the Mayor's Walk site, as only 100 people could be accommodated at evening service? These and many other insights into the life and faith of the Mission Church congregation in the first half of the 20th Century can be found in the minutes of meetings of the Mayor's Walk Mission Room, which we now know as St. Luke's. The actual building was opened by the Bishop on the 29th July 1901, and cost £400 to build. At that time, the residential district between Midland Road and Alderman's Drive had grown rapidly' with no spiritual provision for the community in that part of the parish. The Mission Room, on land presented by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners was sited 'as far away as possible from St. John's Church'. For many years this was not only geographically true, but also in the way the building and services were run; maintenance, finance and decision making completely independent from St. John's. Some vicars were reluctant to take services, this duty falling to the Curate, or Lay Readers. In February 1926, the AGM of the Mission Room discussed the fact that they had no representative on the PCC, and how they could 'secure representation'. The minute books in my custody, as last secretary to the management committee, start with the Easter meeting, April 28th 1922, and go up to the last meeting of the management committee (which still exists in limbo, never having been wound up) in 1995, with tantalising gaps of 1933-1948 (covering the period when the Church hall was built) and 1961-1970 (when the allotments in Priory Road were built on) In 1922 we find an organisation with vicar's warden, people's warden, sides men, a committee, the statement of accounts, and a choir and organist. Those attending AGMs are described as 'a fair proportion of the attendants of the mission'. The minutes are orderly lists of proposals, seconded, and carried, with liberal votes of thanks, and occasional 'carried with acclamation!' Replies are usually 'suitable' and the amounts produced at fund raising events 'considered satisfactory'. Finances were raised for individual events. A jumble sale might be run to pay for the Sunday school party (in 1932 everyone was to be given a cracker) or a sale of work might raise the funds for the choir outing (usually Hunstanton by bus, or Skegness by train). This group of people were not to be trifled with, and knew how to make their views felt. In November 1929 a decision was made to only pay £6 to the Assistant Clergy fund (£15 donations had been made previously) as a protest at the reorganisation of the Sunday school. And the actual decision to start the church building fund in 1928 was made against the views of the vicar. He was asked twice to take the matter to the PCC, before he did so. (The PCC didn't think the scheme should proceed then, either) The plan that evolved was to build a temporary consecrated church, and when the proper church was built, it would become the parish hall. At the Parish AGM in 1933,the vicar, Rev. Grimes stated there was no need for another church, when one was built it would need to be further out (in 1964 the remaining £600 in the building fund was handed over towards the building of St. Jude's). It is at this point there is a gap in the minutes, but the foundation stone for St.John's Hall is dated 9th August 1937. In 1937/38 the mission room was furnished as a church. The congregation in those days was not so conscientiously served by the clergy as now. Communion seems to have been celebrated once a month in the thirties. In 1950, with no curate, the vicar could not fix a celebration for Easter Day, but hoped to arrange one for the Sunday after! A complaint was made at the AGM, in1953, that the monthly celebration at 7 a.m. was too early for the elderly (and everyone else, I would think!) Christmas Communion 1953 was taken by the Rev Turner of Christchurch- at least it was at 9.30 a.m. Today, most members of the congregation would expect a weekly Communion service as a right, and usually (except in an interregnum!) a member of the clergy attached to the parish to preside. We should remember in the past this was not the case, and be grateful for the ministry we are now accustomed to, and those who have made this possible for us. And with this strength, you never know what will happen next at St. Luke's.
Interior 2000
Plumbing The Depths - More information flushed from the Annals of St Luke's
When I first came across a reference to the lavatories in the Mission church minutes (on 24th July 1929 - my 23rd pre-birthday!) I thought the facilities referred to might be of the earth closet, or bucket variety, or they would surely still exist. The minutes just stated that repairs were needed, and an estimate should be obtained, and if thought reasonable, the work to be put in hand .At the same time , it was decided to get an estimate for installing electric light in the lavatories and coal place. The tender for £2 5s 0d was accepted, but it is not clear whether this covered the repairs, the electric installation, or both. (A proposal had been made in September 1926 to install electric lighting in the mission room itself, and I presume this was done soon after, as later there is a reference to the gas brackets being removed during decorating.) The next reference to the lavatories is made in May 1949, when they appear to be in a dangerous condition. There was no wall or railings round them, and during the war and afterwards they had been abused. As there were now facilities in the Church hall, demolition seemed the solution and the PCC would be informed of this decision by letter. Tenders were obtained for the demolition ranging from £20 to £5.This was to demolish lavatories, clear from the site all bricks, tiles, doors etc, and seal sewers to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. The secretary was to contact the Waterworks dept to discontinue the water supply. This was the evidence that the toilets had in fact been of the flushing variety. The £5 tender had been accepted in November 1949, and by the next meeting in February 1950, the deed had been done and the account paid. Mike Lilliman commented in an article he wrote a few years ago on the previous taste in decor of the congregation. I think I have discovered the perpetrators of the worst colour scheme. In June 1932 a sub committee was formed to settle all details of redecoration. For £20 a Mr L. S. Folker was going to do the walls in Factory Type Distemper, the top half to be old gold, black dado, and purple brown at the bottom. £12 to be paid on completion of the work, and the rest later in the year about November. The outside was to be purple brown, but if the committee did not think the colour was suitable, after seeing it, Mr Folker promised to give the door another coat of a different shade. (I wonder if close scrutiny of Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen's family tree shows connections with 1930's Peterborough!) Also with the minute books is a reminder of wartime regulations, a Licence, from the Ministry of Works, allowing the interior of the building to be decorated, at a cost not exceeding £70. The work had to be done within two months of 17th July 1947 or the licence became void. The page of not-so-small print on the reverse declares that the granting of a licence does not mean that the materials will be available. One hopes paint pigments were in restricted supply to avoid a repetition of the previous colour scheme! And now a teaser! At the meeting on 10th July 1931 a cryptic line appears - Gramophone Nuisance. The chairman (Angus Inglis, the Curate) consented to deal with this. At the next meeting, on 15th September, it was reported that no more complaints had been received about the gramophone. Who had complained? Were the neighbours disturbing the congregation? Or had the Mothers Meeting got a little too lively? Maybe the choir had been letting their hair down? We shall never know.
Map of the area in 1927
Church War(den)s - Episode 3 - The Committee Strikes Back (With apologies to George Lucas and Star Wars)
In May 1922,the committee of the Mission Room decided to hire out the room at a rate of 20/- to members of the Mission Room, and 25/- to outsiders, damages extra. It was agreed that the Vicar and wardens had full power to let the Mission Room. Also at this meeting, it was proposed that a list of caretaker's duties be drawn up, and presented at the next meeting. The duties being approved, Mrs Harding was appointed in August. There is no record of her salary at that time, but in September 1925, she received 1/- a week rise, with more to come, if funds permitted. She resigned in Dec 1930, and seems to have given good service, being given a hearty vote of thanks each AGM. Every year, when the need for lighting the stove had passed, the Mission Room was given a spring clean, often conveniently during St. Johnstide, and St. Peterstide, when the Mission was closed for two weeks to prevent a conflict of interests. The caretaker was given extra payment and assistance for this. Letting charges in 1926 were agreed at 15/- members, £1 non-members. In November 1925, the bath chair was to stand at the back of the Mission Room, when not being hired out at 1/- a week to persons connected with the Mission Room, and 1/6 to outsiders. In June 1927 there was some outstanding balance of hire charges, and the committee decided that in future the minimum hire charge was to be 1/- per week, the committee being able to remit the fee, the actual letting out of the chair being left in the hands of the wardens. The bath chair was given to the Toc H in May 1932,when the horrendous colour scheme was being planned. Maybe the local population was not in need, or perhaps the wardens were fed up of the onerous duty! The Mission Church was not always so fortunate in its caretakers. In July 1950, the secretary had to write to the caretaker concerning the dirty state of the church, not surprisingly provoking his resignation. The Ladies Working Party had to fill the breach, until a new caretaker was appointed in October. It was arranged that the cleaning materials should be kept in the outbuilding at the hall formerly used for decontamination - this is still used for St. Luke's storage to this day. The caretaker's wage was raised from 7/6 per week to 35/- a month, the Working Party promised financial help in this respect (perhaps that was preferable to taking up the cloths and brooms again themselves.) If you peered closely at the map printed with the first of these articles, you would have seen 'bowling green' marked behind the Mission Room building. There seems to have been a thriving Bowling Club in existence, which rented the land from the Mission Room. When an enquiry was received in September 1927 about letting the plot of land between the bowling green and Mayor's Walk, the committee were unable to make a decision, as all the land was rented by the Bowling Club. The Bowling Club were invited to the Mission Room services in April 1926, and although attempts to arrange a special service in Autumn 1931 came to nothing, on a social level, the Bowling Club used the Mission Room in 1927, 1928, and 1929 for 7/6. Out of this 5/- was given to Mrs Harding the caretaker. Deciding that the rate should be increased, it was agreed to charge the Bowling Club 2/6 for 2 hours use of the room, and 1/- for each extra hour, 1/6 to be paid to the caretaker. When a sale of work was held in May 1930, the Bowling Club was asked for the use of one rink and any spare bowls. I suppose that the Bowling Club had to leave when St John's Hall was built. Maybe that was when the bowling green in the recreation ground came into being, as a replacement.
Extension built in 2001
'Tis The Season To Be Jolly - Early Social Life At St Luke's
We must remember in the early days of the St Lukes' minute books, that radio had not achieved the popularity and convenience it had by the war years, few people had telephones, and television was experimental. This may explain why, when it was decided on 29th April 1924, to hold a social on 13th May 1924, to raise funds for the choir outing, people apparently just 'got on' with it. £6 was raised - a few years after this, my grandfather was earning £2 a week - so the current equivalent would be several hundreds of pounds. Tickets cost 9d each, and Mrs Day was later thanked for the refreshments. The previous year £6 6s 21/2d had been raised. Unfortunately, the amount raised is not always mentioned. The usual pattern of socials was tickets 9d, 100 tickets to be printed, 1 large bill (poster) and 6 small bills, programme delegated to member(s) of the committee, and refreshments to be left to the lady members. (Some things don't change!) In 1929 there was a suggestion to buy a piano for social events, instead of hiring one, as had been the norm. A sub-committee was formed, to approach local firms, with a view to purchasing a second-hand instrument costing up to £15. A piano was still being hired in December 1931, for the Carol Service, and the children's party, the fee to be paid out of the Sunday School Fund. A series of Whist Drives were usually held in the winter months, with variations in the type; solo, progressive and partner - obvious to those in the know. The money raised was designated for the various funds, the Building Fund, the choir, the Sunday School treat, Mission Room expenses. For 9d in 1925, and 1/- in 1932 you could have a good evening out among friends. Despite the popularity of Whist, tables were being hired in 1929, and in 1932, the secretary was to try to obtain the loan of the whist drive tables free of charge. St Lukes' committee shows its hard-headedness in 1928, when someone offered to put on a fund raising concert in May, but it was felt that a concert held in May would not be a financial success, so the suggestion was made that it be deferred until Harvest. When Mrs Nunday offered her grounds for a Garden Party, they were felt to be too small and the Curate was ordered to approach Mrs Sharman of Westwood Park Road, to see if her premises were available. Westwood Works Musical Society was asked to provide a concert on 28th September 1932, and when they declined, Mr Blower had to fix up a social evening. Harvest services in those days consisted of a Thursday evening service, a Sunday evening, (and sometimes also a Sunday afternoon service) the Harvest Tea being held on the following Tuesday. In 1927 tickets were 1/-, children half price, and entry to the concert only, that followed the tea, 6d.The gifts that were brought to the Harvest services were disposed of as follows: fruit and vegetables to Peterborough Hospital, luxuries (if any) to the Workhouse Infirmary. In 1929 it was decided to hold Old Fashioned Socials on 6th November and 4th December. Would this be like holding 60's or 70's Nights today? Answers on a postcard to the Editor (who remembers them!)
Exterior 2002
Changing Rooms (A La 1930's)
It had been suggested in 1927 that a licence be obtained to hold Holy Communion in the Mission Room, but at that time the Vicar suffered a lengthy illness, so it was not until September 1931 there is a reference to Corporate Communion being announced from the pulpit. When St John's Hall was built in 1937, it provided an alternative venue for the whist drives, socials, and other secular events that had until then jostled for time slots with the church services held in the Mission Room. It had been one of the stated aims of the building fund, in 1928, that it was not satisfactory to have a building that was not fully licensed for Church Sacraments, and in which Whist Drives etc. were held in the week, thus lacking some of the essentials necessary for reverent worship. Rather than a church being built, to give a sacred building, the secular element was removed from the Mission room, giving it opportunity to be used as a church. It was probably these reasons that prompted the re-furnishing of the Mission Room in a manner not so dissimilar from its appearance today. I have various bills, letters and orders from this time which give an insight into how this happened. Has MFI or Furnitureland ever informed you that they are 'hoping to receive your further esteemed commands?' I doubt it. Enquiries were made in July 1937 of a chair manufacturer in High Wycombe. For a quantity of 50 chairs there would be a discount of 3d each, and on 100, a discount of 6d each. Prices quoted included carriage to the nearest railway station. I suppose you arranged onward transport of the chairs yourself, but I can't help picturing the congregation carrying a chair each down Mayor's Walk! In March 1938 a specific quote was given for 60 chairs with 15" seats for 6/6d each, with a 21/2% discount for prompt payment of the invoice. Despatch would be by goods train within 18 days, the exact date of despatch to be notified. Nearer to home, Watkins and Stafford gave a quotation for the manufacture of the altar and altar rails, also the posts for the curtains at the back. The total was £17 9s 3d, including fixing. The Vicar , Rev Grimes wrote to the School of Embroidery at the Sisters of Bethany in London, who had apparently supplied a banner in 1936, asking if they could make an altar Super Frontal, something 'quite simple and cheap'. The Sisters knew exactly what would be suitable for £2 10s. A hand written estimate of costs showed the expected outlay would be £62 10s, but in reality the total came to £42 14s 9d. A bargain, I think.
Interior April 2006
Some Things Never Change
The actual building of the Mission Room/the Mission Church/St. Luke's has changed little in outward appearance over the 100 years of its existence. The same could be said for the cast list of people caring for the building. I don't mean we rely on a group of centenarians for the cleaning and welcoming etc, but that all through its history, there has been a small band of stalwarts who have taken on the task of looking after, and planning the use and care of the building. Physically, this may be easier than in the past. UPVC window frames don't rot like wood, no-one has to clean out the solid fuel stove, and this winter, thanks to the new heating system timer, Mike can sit at home on Saturday evening, instead of braving the elements to light the gas heaters so that the congregation is cosy! Names become familiar throughout the minutes books, regularly appearing for their period of participation, then being replaced by others. Robinson, Thompson, Chappell, and later Checkley, and Mould. Mike Lilliman was first elected to the management Committee in 1983, and Chris Brown in 1987. And so it goes on - or I hope it will. Mr Langley sent his apologies to the AGM in 1952 (he was ill) saying it was the first time he had been unable to attend an AGM since 1929.How many of us know which AGMs we have attended or missed? On several occasions in the past, it has been difficult to get volunteers to stand as churchwardens. In 1925 and 1927 the post was filled after the AGM. And retaining organists has been a constant problem over the years, although in the past, there have been various ad hoc arrangements for rotas of willing and modest reserves and deputies. At one time the Principal of St. Peter's (teacher training) College was asked if he could help find an organist. One of the students did volunteer (but I expect she went home for the vacations!) Sunday School teachers were in short supply in 1948, and 1950. In my day, we graduated by being confirmed at the age of about 13, then came back to help. When anyone did take on any of these tasks, they were appreciated for their sterling work, and thanked at the AGM, or at the end of their 'stint.' Several of the relief organists refused gifts. At the moment, the floor is being investigated for damp; this was also a problem in 1954, when Mr Cooper carried out repairs. In 1955, a load of gravel was donated to the church by Mr Sneath. This was spread by the churchwardens, and volunteer help. The volunteer help was missing this time around, and we had to pay for the gravel. Over the years there have been many generous benefactors. The Ladies Working Party provided finance, (wo)manpower and furnishings over many years, apparently rising to any need and challenge. In 1950 they provided the cupboard in the vestry, because the vestments were kept at Mrs Robinson's in West Parade, and the Communion Plate at Miss Rutland's in Mayor's Walk when not in use. I suppose the 200 club could be considered a later successor to them. The recent building work has encouraged latent talent to blossom in our three builders, and also proved once again it's not what you know, but who you know with regard to jobs they were not able to tackle themselves. We are also grateful for the items we have been given to furnish the extension, and the donations to purchase equipment. One hundred years ago people rallied round their church, hopefully some things never change.
Exterior 2006
St Lukes' Latest Score. Baptisms 3 - Funerals 1
St. Lukes has had another building project in the past. This was when the chancel was added, sometime in the 1920's.I know Arnold Manvell was vicar at the time (his incumbency was 1920 to1927), but the only reference I can find in the minutes that may be relevant, in August 1923, was to old curtains being available from St. John's to fit the window that had been altered. I cannot believe that anything as momentous as an extension would go unrecognised in later minutes. The front of St Lukes' has at various times had fencing (1951) railings (1920's and from 1953) and (during the war) nothing, further enhanced by turf, shrubs and gravel. Music has been provided by five organs, and in the past 100 years there have been 10 vicars, this includes the very latest model! The methods of heating have varied from solid fuel, through several types of gas heaters, to newly installed radiators. Maybe we should have had more faith and gone for solar panels - the Lord will provide! Accoutrements that have been removed over the years include the pulpit (1977) I can still recall the rough, dark brown, bubbly varnished surface of it, and the children's altar. The Mission Church Committee has been responsible for the allotments in Priory Road. The PCC asked in 1951 that this task be taken on (when there was a years rents outstanding) and the secretary and treasurer just included it in their other duties. One bonus of this was members of the congregation got first refusal when a plot became vacant. Twice the church has had a bath chair. After getting rid of the first one in the 1930's, another one was donated in the 1950's. Presumably the congregation could see twenty years on that this might benefit them. Apart from the building, what has happened to the Church in this time? Patterns of worship have drastically altered, from the launch of the Building Fund in 1928, because 100 people were squeezed in for Sunday Evening Service, to the current weekly Parish Communion with twenty or thirty Communicants. We no longer have evensong on Sundays, and at the moment there are no mid-week services. In the future, whatever form the services take, let us hope and pray that St. Lukes' will be cherished in the same way as now.
The pipe organ was removed in 1999 and replaced by an electric organ.
Details for the pipe organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register website.
http://npor.emma.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=D01648