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A brief history of Burpham

A brief history of the Church at Burpham



St Luke’s Parish Church

For over 150 years, St Luke's Church has been at the centre of Burpham life. It is one of the most visible signs of the life of the church at the centre of the community.

In 1858 Burpham was in the parish of Worplesdon, separated from the parish church by Whitmoor Common and the marshy valley of the Wey. For all these years St Luke's Church has served our community well. In its pews people have found faith in Christ. New life has been celebrated and welcomed at its font. Marriages have been celebrated at its chancel steps. Past generations have been recalled with gratitude. Many lives are remembered in the beautiful church grounds.

It offers a welcome to all our community, particularly our special friends next door at Burpham School.


The Church of The Holy Spirit

The Church of the Holy Spirit has also played an important and strategic part in building the church in Burpham.

Built in the 1960s, it is the home church for many people linked with the great growth in housing that has shaped the modern community of Burpham.

Many children have found a home here through the pre-school group and uniformed organisations.

It is the home of our much-loved Drop-In on Thursday mornings and Caterpillar Café for toddlers and carers on a Friday morning.

The first phase of a refurbishment programme was completed in 2009 see pictures of our modern, re-furbished hall

(Church Centre), and also see plans for further much-needed improvements

St Luke’s Churchyard

Very hard work is put into the upkeep of the churchyard, and floral life can be seen there throughout the year.

There are some quite old tombstones, including, on the left quite near the front door, Henry Graham Lintott, who died in Dec 1878.

Close to the edge of the churchyard behind the church is Sir William Stuart who died on 1st April 1896.


His stone reads:


'KNIGHT COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF ST MICHAEL & ST GEORGE.

ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN ATHENS

AND AT THE HAGUE'.


Near the bend in the road at the front of the Church are the graves of Jane and John Christmas who died in 1871 and 1890 respectively, and also Joseph Choat who died Dec 4th 1873.

The War Memorial in St Luke's churchyard

This memorial contains the following names:


From the 1914-18 War

Frederick Adams

William Collis

Tom Durant

Harry Durrant

Charles Gray

Edward Gunner

John Gunner

Percy Gunner

Samson Gunner

James Knight

Robert Knight



A fuller history of St Luke’s is published in a short booklet

and another short booklet gives details and stories of the men on Burpham's War Memorial written by Jean Shail.


Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to buy a copy of either booklet.

Tel: 01483 853023    e-mail: vicarage@ntlworld.com

Norman Philips

John Russell

Thomas Searle

George Stilwell

Henry Williams

Robert Worsfold

Walter Wisdom

From the 1939-45 War

Aubrey Collins

James Cross

Norman Drake

Jack Dunn

Clive Hammond

Harry Hirst

Derek Lord

Kenneth Percival

Frederick Ranger

Samuel Reid

Peter Vickery