St Luke's, Moor Street, Blakenhall, Wolverhampton, 2002
Built in 1860-61, St. Luke’s Church is an ornate brick built structure that stands in Blakenhall on the junction of Upper Villiers Street and Moor Street, in what was once the heartland of Wolverhampton's motor industry. Situated close to St Lukes was the Sunbeam Motor Works, which had in its time produced cycles, motorbikes, cars and buses. The Villiers motorcycle works was also part of the factory complex that straddled a large wedge of land. The Villiers, which became part of BSA and later Norton Villiers Triumph, manufactured motorcycles on the site up until 1977, when the factory was forced to close due to fierce competition from the Japanese motorcycle industry.
Thankfully much of the old Sunbeam works and some of the Villiers factory still stands, but today it’s converted into industrial units, so still plays a vital role in providing jobs locally; it's just a pity that it doesn't still produce motor vehicles, the very thing it was designed and built to do.
This view of St Luke’s, was taken from Moor Street looking towards Upper Villiers Street, the red-brick building in front of St Lukes is on part of the former Sunbeam Motor Works, but had originally been built for J Roper , who were precision engineers and builders of early motorcycles.
I'd not noticed before, but looking closely at the picture, you will see a set of 'steeple jack's' ladders attached to St Luke’s clock tower and running up to the base of the steeple, a job that few people would have the nerve to do and looks terrifying, even from here.
Photo: 7th March 2002.
St Luke's, Moor Street, Blakenhall, Wolverhampton, 2002
Built in 1860-61, St. Luke’s Church is an ornate brick built structure that stands in Blakenhall on the junction of Upper Villiers Street and Moor Street, in what was once the heartland of Wolverhampton's motor industry. Situated close to St Lukes was the Sunbeam Motor Works, which had in its time produced cycles, motorbikes, cars and buses. The Villiers motorcycle works was also part of the factory complex that straddled a large wedge of land. The Villiers, which became part of BSA and later Norton Villiers Triumph, manufactured motorcycles on the site up until 1977, when the factory was forced to close due to fierce competition from the Japanese motorcycle industry.
Thankfully much of the old Sunbeam works and some of the Villiers factory still stands, but today it’s converted into industrial units, so still plays a vital role in providing jobs locally; it's just a pity that it doesn't still produce motor vehicles, the very thing it was designed and built to do.
This view of St Luke’s, was taken from Moor Street looking towards Upper Villiers Street, the red-brick building in front of St Lukes is on part of the former Sunbeam Motor Works, but had originally been built for J Roper , who were precision engineers and builders of early motorcycles.
I'd not noticed before, but looking closely at the picture, you will see a set of 'steeple jack's' ladders attached to St Luke’s clock tower and running up to the base of the steeple, a job that few people would have the nerve to do and looks terrifying, even from here.
Photo: 7th March 2002.