St Luke's, Duston
Duston today is incorporated into the western suburbs of Northampton, but the parish church of St Luke in its enclosed and leafy churchyard retains the oasis of calm feel of a village church. It dates mostly to the 13th and 14th centuries and was originally cruciform, as witnessed by the central tower (somewhat oblong on form). The local ironstone has a rich patina and a warm orange-brown hue which looks most attractive on a sunny day.
Within the narrow crossing beneath the tower splits the church into separate spaces and the nave has been re-orientated with an altar at the west end to make better use of the building's layout, thus the nave is now the main focus for worship with the chancel retained as a chapel. There are several amusing medieval corbel carvings throughout the church, those in the chancel depicting musicians being particularly notable.
St Luke's is not usually open outside of service times though does open on Sunday afternoons for cream-teas in summer. I arrived at midday shortly after the morning service and was made very welcome.
St Luke's, Duston
Duston today is incorporated into the western suburbs of Northampton, but the parish church of St Luke in its enclosed and leafy churchyard retains the oasis of calm feel of a village church. It dates mostly to the 13th and 14th centuries and was originally cruciform, as witnessed by the central tower (somewhat oblong on form). The local ironstone has a rich patina and a warm orange-brown hue which looks most attractive on a sunny day.
Within the narrow crossing beneath the tower splits the church into separate spaces and the nave has been re-orientated with an altar at the west end to make better use of the building's layout, thus the nave is now the main focus for worship with the chancel retained as a chapel. There are several amusing medieval corbel carvings throughout the church, those in the chancel depicting musicians being particularly notable.
St Luke's is not usually open outside of service times though does open on Sunday afternoons for cream-teas in summer. I arrived at midday shortly after the morning service and was made very welcome.