Plaque 1914-18 St. Luke

West end of the building.

St. Luke the Evangelist Church, Acklam Road Thornaby TS17 7HB

Moved in 1977/78 to the North Transept.

Now Teesside Vineyard Church

1914-18

Unveiled June 1923 by Major G.W.N. Hopper, T.D.,
dedicated by the Bishop of Hull

White marble in pink alabaster frame.

To the glory of God
+
and in thankful remembrance of the men of this Church and Parish
who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1918.
(Names)
“Faithful unto death”

Plaque 38 inches high x 59 inches wide (96.5cms x 150cms) of white marble set in a pink border

It has a curved centre top with the words “To the glory of God” and a plain red cross. The dedication continues underneath.

The names are listed in four columns.

Lettering throughout is in serif upper case.

The words “Faithful unto death” are in inverted commas at the bottom.

The Anglican Churches of Thornaby on Tees; St. Peter; St. Paul; St. Luke; St. Mark records in 1993:
The Great War of 1914-18 made its impact on St. Luke’s, as in all churches. The Vicar’s son, G.H. Featherstone, was amongst those of the parish killed in action (in his case, at the Somme, in 1916).

After the war, it was felt desirable to erect a memorial to the fallen. Discussion went on until 1922, when a design was sent to the Diocesan office for a general memorial together with a specific Featherstone memorial proposal. The latter was to take the form of a brass cross and two vases for the high altar; this encountered no problems. However, the general memorial (a rectangular marble and alabaster tablet with a semi-circular projection at the top, on which were names of the fallen, and the inscription, “Faithful Unto Death”), upset the Diocesan Chancellor, P.B. Willbraham. With considerable insensitivity the Chancellor informed the Vicar that the tablet would look better “without the bulge at the top” and that the cross was “too large and elaborate”. The vicar pointed out that a great deal of thought had gone into the design and that the sculptor had already started work. “He had no business to”, replied the Chancellor, but the Vicar persisted and permission was finally given for the (unaltered) memorial.

Photos: James Pasby

Stockton and Teesside Herald
17/03/1923 reports granting of Faculty;
30/06/1923 reports unveiling.

Christian Inheritance: Church History No.22; The Anglican Churches of Thornaby on Tees; St. Peter; St. Paul; St. Luke; St. Mark: Written By Barry Jewitt 1993 The Christian Inheritance Trust: ISBN 1 871 366 33 3

Source of quotation:
“Faithful unto death” The Book of Revelation 2 v 10  “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life,

Dorothy Hall

If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk