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Gravestone
of Richard Formby who died in 1407
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The
present St. Luke's Church was consecrated in 1855, so it is not
an ancient building although there has been a church on this site
for centuries. The previous church (it was called Formby Chapel)
was badly damaged in a storm in 1739 so the decision was made
to build a church further inland and nearer to the developing
township. This led to the building of St. Peter's Church. However,
the graveyard at St. Luke's continued to be used.
The coming of the railway to Formby, and the Victorian enthusiasm
for sea bathing led to the prospect of a "Formby-by-Sea" resort.
Anxious that any new development should not be "Godless" two members
of the local Formby family, Mary and Richard, built the present
church on the site of the previous one. The new church was dedicated
to St. Luke, perhaps because Richard Formby, like St. Luke, was
a doctor (he was a pioneer in the use of anaesthetics). The 1855
church was the nave of the present church, with the sanctuary
and transepts added in 1897-8.
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The
church has many interesting features, notably the Rose Window dating
from the 1897-8 alterations. The window features flowers local to
the area, including marsh marigolds, sea holly and irises.
The church also contains relics which are much older than the present
building. A font, probably from the first church on the site, is
still in use. It has twenty three sides and experts date it to the
12th century. In the porch is the gravestone of Richard Formby who
died in 1407 and was armour bearer to Henry the 4th. The gravestone
was originally in York Minster. |
Rose
Window |
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The
Godstone |
The
graveyard contains much of interest, especially the carved Godstone
which some suggest was used as a "rebus" to convert the Vikings
to Christianity. Percy French, the famous Irish entertainer, is
buried here and the graveyard also houses the old village stocks
and the original village cross on which, in the eighteenth century,
we are told, a man sold his wife! The earliest graves date from
1666 when, of course, London was burning in the Great Fire.
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| St.
Luke's Church stands, then, as a witness to the work and faith
of our fellow Christians in past centuries, and continues that
tradition through its present ministry in the community.
Normally
the church building is open to visitors every Sunday and Tuesday
between 2.00 and 4.00 pm, when guides are present. Most Tuesdays
visitors can get refreshments in the meeting room. |
Percy
French's grave |
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