St Luke
Parkstone, Dorset
St Aldhelm’s was opened and consecrated in 1894. Its founding vision was to be a church for the poor who lived in this industrial area of Branksome whose main employments were the railway, the gas works and the potteries. Times change but St Aldhelm’s retains something of that tradition, providing shelter, support and an inclusive welcome to all.
A sign informs those passing by that it is ‘Open for Prayer’ throughout each day and a surprising number turn aside to pray, light a candle, leave requests for prayer or simply rest.
The building was designed by GF Bodley. Its dimensions, slender pillars and many windows (several high quality stained ones among them) create a kind of sacred canopy and one enters with awe as one might when stepping into the half light of an ancient forest.Such a space also lends itself to music and it is regularly used for concerts, including regular seasons of free Tuesday lunchtime recitals. In addition, the St Aldhelm’s Orchestra practises most weeks and performs termly concerts of very high quality.
Our patron saint was the first bishop of our diocese, Salisbury, though in his day (around 700) it was based on Sherborne Abbey. Aldhelm was a monk, abbot, teacher, scholar, writer and musician – and by all accounts a lovely personality. Keen observers of ‘Dad’s Army’ will be aware that the fictional church in ‘Walmington on Sea’ is also dedicated to St Aldhelm. The classic TV show’s script writer, David Croft, attended our church as a boy and the rather dictatorial verger in that series is thought to be based on Arthur Courage, verger here over several decades and of whom a succession of vicars were both glad and afraid!
St Aldhelm’s is left open throughout each day and in recent times it provides a welcoming ‘warm space’ with facilities for making hot drinks available to all. Nonetheless, it continues primarily to provide a sacred place: each day begins with Morning Prayer and the ringing of the Angelus and the Mass is celebrated prayerfully and is well attended by congregations of all ages and all backgrounds.
