Serving the communities of Stanmore, Badger Farm, Olivers Battery, and Winchester Village.
The St. Lukes building
Press Release from St Luke's Stanmore
Temporary Closure of St Luke’s Church, Stanmore, Winchester
16th December 2025
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The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Luke’s, Stanmore, Winchester (the elected body responsible for the governance, finances, and mission of the parish) has taken the precautionary decision to temporarily close the St Luke’s church building following recent professional advice highlighting concerns about water ingress and the condition of the electrical systems within the building. These issues mean the building cannot currently be used safely, and the decision has been made in accordance with best practice, with the safety and wellbeing of parishioners, visitors, and community groups firmly in mind.
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During this temporary closure, all worship and parish activities will move to St Mark’s Church, Oliver’s Battery, which continues to offer a welcoming and accessible space for the congregation and wider community.
While the closure is temporary, the PCC recognises that returning to the building in its current condition may not be feasible. Further professional advice and careful discernment will guide the next steps as we consider the long-term future of the site.
The PCC remains committed to the long-term redevelopment of the St Luke’s site. Work is underway to explore future possibilities for a renewed church and community hub, and the temporary closure provides an opportunity to continue this planning with care, imagination, and hope. Further updates will be shared as the project progresses.
As part of this process, the PCC will also hold a community gathering in due course. This will offer an opportunity for people to come together, share memories, and mark this moment in the life of St Luke’s Church before the site moves into its next phase.
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The Reverend Marianne Foster, Vicar of St Luke’s and St Mark’s, said:
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“Our priority is always the safety and care of everyone who uses our buildings. While the temporary closure of St Luke’s is a significant moment for our parish, we are approaching it with faith, unity, and hope. I am deeply grateful for the kindness, understanding, and resilience shown by our congregation and community. We look forward to discerning together what God is calling us to build for the future.”
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The PCC will continue to keep the community updated as more information becomes available.
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Reverend Marianne Foster
Vicar, St Luke’s & St Mark’s, Winchester
Vicar@stlukeswinchester.co.uk
07980 837856
Press Release from St Luke's Stanmore and the Diocese of Winchester
March 2024: Future Plans for St. Luke's Church
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St Luke’s is pleased to address recent interest regarding the future of St. Luke’s Church. We appreciate the community's engagement and wish to provide clarity on our ongoing discussions and plans.
As a church deeply rooted in our community, we are actively exploring various possibilities for the future of St. Luke’s. These discussions involve a diverse range of stakeholders and perspectives, and we are committed to ensuring that all voices are heard and considered. In the future, we plan to engage more widely with the local community to gather input and feedback.
It is important to emphasise that St Luke’s maintains a stance of impartiality. We do not align ourselves with any political affiliations, and our focus remains steadfast on serving the needs of our community with compassion and integrity.
We encourage all interested parties to seek information directly from us. Transparent and open communication is fundamental to our approach, and we welcome constructive dialogue that fosters understanding and collaboration.
St Luke’s remains dedicated to nurturing a vibrant community at St. Luke’s.
Sincerely,
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Revd Marianne Foster, Brian Sadler (church warden) and Tom Foster (church warden)
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​PressRelease from St Luke's Stanmore and the Diocese of Winchester
September 2022
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For a number of years, it has been apparent that St Luke’s Church, on Mildmay Street in Stanmore, is suffering from a number of major building defects. A report commissioned by the Diocese of Winchester in May this year, confirmed that addressing these repairs would incur substantial costs, and would be a significant on-going burden to the congregation for many years to come. After much discussion, the Parochial Church Council made the courageous decision to seek closure and demolition of the church in order to build a new, fit-for-purpose replacement. The Church Commissioners have now announced their decision to approve the closure and demolition of the church.
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Bishop Debbie, Acting Bishop of Winchester, says, “As we seek to serve the parish of Stanmore in the decades to come, we want people to know that they can get to know Jesus in their new church building. We look forward to the new church continuing to be the beacon of hope that St Luke’s has been, continuing to bring the presence of Christ to one of the most diverse communities in Winchester.”
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St Luke’s church holds many significant memories for the people of Stanmore stretching back three generations. The churchwardens would like to welcome all who have connections from the past with St Luke’s to come and share their memories with the current worshipping community.
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Curate, Marianne Foster, says, “The current St Luke’s building is a special place for many people. As we look ahead to the future and plan for a new St Luke’s, I am hopeful that it will be a loving and welcoming building where people will discover joy and connection."
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The Parochial Church Council will be working with the Diocese of Winchester and local stakeholders and the planning authorities of Winchester City Council to determine how the site can be developed and a new church built. The building remains structurally safe to use in the immediate future, and a date of closure will be announced in due course. The usual pattern of Services will continue during the building project (please check website for updates as the project progresses).
To contact the parish, please email stlukestanmore@outlook.com, or visit their website at www.stlukeswinchester.co.uk.
To contact the Diocese of Winchester, please email nigel.wright@winchester.anglican.org.