Church Heritage Record 609303

West narthex. 6-bay aisled nave with south-west baptistery. 2-bay apsidal-ended chancel with north vestry and former organ chamber and south former choir vestry, now Lady Chapel. Boiler house beneath north vestry.

[Approximate] Nave 10m (33ft) wide x 26.5m (87ft) long, aisles 1m (3ft) wide, chancel 10m (33ft).

Though there is evidence of early settlement in Dukinfield, it underwent substantial growth during the Industrial revolution. The town had a number of cotton mills as well as nearby collieries. St Luke's was commissioned in 1885 as a chapel to St John the Evangelist. The foundation stone was laid in 1888. The church was designed by John Eaton & Sons of Ashton-under-Lyne and built to accommodate 750 seats.

St Luke’s is a large red brick church with stone banding at window sill level and the level of a high plinth, with some additional stone details. It has a single slate roof with terracotta ridges tiles. The aisle roofs join the nave at a slight gradient.

The bays in the north and south elevations are defined by two trefoil-headed lancets set within a pointed arch. A continuous brick drip-mould rises over the heads of the windows. Tall buttresses are positioned between each bay. North and south transepts are implied by the interruption of gabled roofs at the east end of the nave. A low vestry abuts the north-east corner and a Lady Chapel the south-east corner. An apsidal baptistery projects from the west end of the south wall.

The west elevation presents the greatest variety in the overall design. At ground level a narthex with lean-to roof (modern alteration) projects from the main elevation. There are entrances at the angles of the narthex set beneath gables with decorative terracotta panels above. The narthex has three sets of three lights separated by short stone columns. A gable rises over the central trio with a carved stone cross set within it. Two buttresses extend up from the narthex, stretching back to attach to the west wall, in the style of flying buttresses. They then extend up the west wall finally breaking through the gabled roofline as stone pinnacles. Five single lancets are set within a pointed arch and stretch up the expanse of the west elevation. A stone hoodmould with foliate stops frames the composition. A bellcote with twin openings extends up from the apex and has decorative terracotta panels incorporated into it.

There are a number of entrances into the interior including through the Lady Chapel. The main interior space is vast and soaring. A 6-bay arcade on the north and south sides is carried on tall piers. The bases are of brick with attached pilasters and the surfaces are finished in plaster. The aisles to the north and south are half aisles with transverse arches. The roof is a boarded barrel vault. Tall lancet windows are glazed with cathedral glass in diagonal and square leaded panes. There is very little stained glass. Additional light is provided by spotlights.

Throughout the church, with the exception of the west wall where plaster has been removed, the walls are plastered and painted in white, blue, yellow and pink. Iron heating pipes are fitted above ground level all around the church, with old cast-iron radiators still in place at the west end. The aisle floors are tiled in quarry tiles in a geometric pattern interspersed with encaustic tiles. Several iron grates are laid into the floor and carpet has been laid at the east and west ends. The areas beneath the fixed pine pews are boarded in timber, laid level with the floor. Some seating has been cleared towards the west end to create a children’s area.

The narthex at the west end can be accessed via a central door or from aisle doors. The wall in the narthex dividing the space from the nave has  commandment boards to either side of the main doorway, which has a hoodmould over it. A baptistery, with a dipping floor, is situated in the south-west corner. The eastern most bay of the north aisle has a rose window rather than lancets.

The chancel is raised by two steps, a low brick chancel wall with stone copings divides it from the nave. The floor has more encaustic tiles, additional red carpet is laid in the aisle. To the north and south are choir stalls of good quality varnished softwood with pierced tracery fixed on tiered platforms. The south wall has two trefoil-headed lights. A door to the south leads into the Lady Chapel, a simple room with prominent wood roof trusses. The altar has a reredos and painted Virgin and Child dated 1919. The organ chamber (pipes survive for visual impact only) and vestry are located to the north.

The sanctuary is raised by two stone steps and the altar is raised up on another two.