St. Luke's Church, Parkstone, Poole

The First 100 Years 1903-2003

Part 2: The First Church, a New Parish and a New Church 1900-1914

Role of Lord & Lady Wimborne

The Canford Estate owned all the land or was working with development companies.

Born 1847
Eldest Daughter 7th Duke of Marlborough
Sister to Randolph Churchill
Married 1st Lord Wimborne in 1868
Widowed 1914
Died 1927

Lady Wimborne was interested in the education of young girls - and in 1900 she bought Sandecoates School for the Church Education Corporation

The school needed a Chapel. First plans were to build in the school grounds

Role of St Peter’s

However, Canon Dugmore at St Peter’s suggested a church open to the public as well to serve the growing local population. On December 4th 1900, a prefabricated “tin church” was dedicated for public and school use. The "tin church" was later rebuilt and used as the Church Hall until 1966. It was a chapel of ease within St Peter’s parish (Curate in Charge, Rev Cornford, acting School Chaplin).

The Original Plan for the New Parish

The original plan of the parish can be seen opposite.

The New Plan for the New Parish

The new plan for the parish is shown opposite.

Canon Dugmore of St Peter’s and Lady Wimborne had an uneasy working relationship. The early 1900s witnessed a religious revival based on less formal, more evangelical styles of worship - and Lady Wimborne was a supporter. By 1903 the Wimborne’s supported a review of local parish boundaries - and in March 1903 the parish of St Luke emerged.

A New Church for a New Parish

Rev Herbert Price arrived in January 1904 as the first Vicar. The parish was growing rapidly in size through building work and by 1905 plans were underway for a new church. Lord Wimborne gave £4,250 to endow the benefice and (by 1914) £8,400 towards a building fund. The foundation stone was laid in 1907.

Starting the Construction 1907

The photographs show Cornelia, Lady Wimborne laying the foundation stone. Construction was completed in the Spring of 1908 at a total cost of £9,000, however building debts prevented full consecration until 1914

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