Church of St Luke, Whyteleafe Hill, Whyteleafe, Surrey

ST. LUKE’S, CATERHAM VALLEY - The new district church of St. Luke, Caterham, has been consecrated. It stands in the valley of the Bourne, between Croydon and Godstone. The site, with land for endowment, and for a parsonage-house, were presented by Mr. G. H. Drew. The church is a simple Gothic structure, built of bricks, in the style of the thirteenth century, and capable of holding 200 persons. The sittings are to be free. The interior, consisting of a nave, chancel, and organ-chamber, with vestry, is unpretending in appearance. The chancel is decorated by Messrs. Lavers & Barraud, who also furnished and designed the windows, of which there are seven of coloured glass, illustrating the parables and passages in the life of our Lord. A reredos, from the design of the architect, Mr. R. W. Drew, adds greatly to the beauty of the chancel. The church was built by the contributions of about 200 persons, and material was also given by some neighbours. An organ with four stops has been presented to the church by the Misses Westall; it was built by Mr. Nicholson, of Lincoln. The division of nave and chancel is marked externally by a bell-turret. The chancel is divided from the nave by a low wall of chalk. The chancel roof is open, the rafters stained. The walls of the chancel are decorated, and legends are illuminated under the wall-plate. The sanctuary walls, to the height of about 5 feet are coloured green, with a diaper of red and gold. The east window (given by Dr. Westall) is of three lights, the centre containing the Crucifixion. The north light contains the Visit of the Three Kings to our Lord; the south, the Three Marys visiting the Sepulchre. In the tracery above is the symbol of the Holy Trinity. The window on the north side of the chancel, by Dr. Carpenter, of Croydon, represents the Annunciation and Purification of the Virgin Mary. Near the pulpit is our Lord teaching. This was the gift of Messrs. Lavers & Barraud. The windows on the south side (four in number) are filled with stained glass. [Builder 22 December 1866 page 948]

Reference           Builder 22 December 1866 page 948