St.Luke's Church was designed by Ewan Christian (1814-1895) in the English Decorated Style, built by Wells of Bermondsey, and was consecrated on 17th.October 1856 by the Lord Bishop of Rochester. The cost was £1890. It has minor later alterations, and an 1975 extension. Of red brick with blue brick banding, the red tile roof has blue tile banding and there are Caen stone dressings.
These five separate windows in the wall of the apse, behind the altar in the sanctuary, depict scenes from the life of Christ. They were the gift of Mrs.Burney, wife of Archdeacon Burney, and their children at the time of building the church.
From left to right they show:
The birth of Jesus, with Mary and Joseph;
Luke 2,7. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan;
Luke 3,21. Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened.
The crucifixion of Jesus;
Luke 23,33. And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left.
Jesus risen from the tomb and unrecognised by Mary Magdalene;
John 20,16. Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).
The Ascension of Jesus;
Luke 24,51. While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven.
The windows did not escape damage by the bomb blast which did so much damage to the west window, it was not so severe and some parts have been replaced or renovated. Eg. the fifth panel originally had a white cloud above the figure of Christ. The windows look especially good when the summer morning sun shines through.
The coordinates given are for the church porch.