The church of St Luke and St Teresa, designed by the priest architect Canon A J C Scoles was completed in 1908 since when apart from changes to the sanctuary and the entrance we believe little had been altered. The building, together with the adjoining priory is designed in the Early English style and is Grade II listed.
In 2007 John Stark & Crickmay Partnership started a phased programme of improvements and maintenance. The first phase required the essential work of refurbishing the building envelope, involving replacement of the leaded windows, the re-roofing, replacement of lead work and guttering to provide a wind and watertight building fabric. These works, which were essentially replacement, were completed in January 2008. Further works to improve the heating and lighting systems together with the provision of a disabled toilet and improved access to the first floor gallery to the west end of the church have been carried out.
In 2009 John Stark & Crickmay Partnership started a phase of works to increase the seating capacity in the church and carry out extensive re-ordering of the Church to improve the ecclesial environment for liturgy and the various types of modern Christian worship.
This included a new confessional in a soundproof glazed enclosure in the position of the existing baptistery providing a greatly improved and more welcoming environment for both priest and penitent. Two doors provided separate access suitable for a wheelchair.
The existing pipe organ situated in front of the large, west circular window, was removed to greatly improve the amount of natural light in the church and provide 20 to 25 additional seats. To further improve visibility the existing timber balcony was replaced with a glass and stainless steel balustrade in the same material as the framing to the new glazed entrance screen below.
Finally redecoration was carried out throughout in colours chosen to suit the space and age of the building and to renovate the Rood Crucifix.
These works enhanced the appearance of the church considerably creating a more welcoming, comfortable and inviting space whilst respecting the design intent of the original architect.
