St. Luke's Church

• St. Luke's Church

This is a copy of a picture of Thurnby painted by Rudolf Hahlbohm in 1945 or thereabouts. The artist was a P.O.W. in the camp on Shady Lane, Evington. He was given materials by local people; was allowed to move around the area and painted many local scenes. He came to England in 2000, an old gentleman of 90 accompanied by his grandaughter to re-visit the area. His main wish, unfulfilled as it turned out, was to find a triptych he had painted of St. Denys Church, Evington.

Information provided by Leicester Mercury.
Picture provided by Julie Mee

St Lukes Church
This beautiful Church built of ironstone, limestone and Mountsorrell Granite has a history stretching back to 1143. Inevitably, over the centuries there have been changes to the fabric of the building. The latest change to build an extension to the west side of the church was first broached in the 1990s with the intention of widening the use of the church premises for additional community activities. There were extensive consultations with English Heritage and Harborough District Council Planning and Conservation Officers. Following a meeting with the Parochial Church Council in 1999 a decision was finally taken to build on the north side of the Church and the first plans for the extension to include disabled toilet, baby changing facilities and a small kitchenette was produced in January 2001. The estimated cost was £74,000. Because of the position of some the graves the size of the extension had to be reduced, some bones were unearthed and this put a stop to digging the foundations until an archaeological observation had been carried out and, most concerning of all, the original estimate suddenly soared. In due course the plans were modified, an Archaeological Report dated 2005 deemed the bones not to be significant and an alternative builder was engaged.. By this stage £34,000 had been raised through a ‘Gift Day,’ donations and functions. Unfortunately an application for funding from an outside source was not successful. A Christmas Tree Festival and Craft Fair held December 2006 was the occasion for the official opening of the extension.
Information supplied by members of the St. Luke’s Extension Committee

• St. Luke's Church Extension

Photo: Interior of St. Luke’s Church
Photo: Thurnby & Bushby Appraisal 1989

Photo: Thurnby & Bushby Parish Appraisal 1989