MO/7/1225

Correspondence and related papers concerning future of St Luke’s United Church, Bedford, its closure on 5 October 2008, subsequent sale to Bedford School and dissolution of Church on 31 March 2009. Contents appear to have been removed from a file. Original order maintained. Many of the letters appear to be copies printed on re-used paper as reverse of some includes copies of hymns and letters unconnected to file title.

2001, 2005-2009

From: 2001 To: 2009

Includes: - details of present situation with thoughts on future by members of congregation, 3 June 2005; - financial information, including problems fulfilling terms of lease and loss of main source of income (26 May 2006); - transfer of Trusteeship from United Reformed Church Trust to URC Thames North Trust; - brief history of Church; - letter explaining problems of Church continuing due to lack of financial and human resources, proposed union with Church of St Peter De Merton and details of United Reformed Church worship in Bedford, 11 January 2007; - discussions with various parties interested in possible purchase of Church and Sister’s House, 24 St Peter’s Street, including Bedford School, King’s Arms Church and Eagle Bookshop; - clarification of ownership of 24 St Peter’s Street and Bunyan Meeting’s status in relation to the United Reformed Church; - invitations to various people asking to contribute to series of talks to be given in lead up to closure of Church; - making of inventory and disposal of furnishings, artefacts and Church items, including organ and screen, and souvenirs from Church to planned new Bedford Museum; - letter from Revd David Bunney to Fergus Urquhart, Thames North Trust, detailing Church closure and his own duties and retirement, 5 December 2007; - plans to publish short history of Church; - letters from David Clarke with memories of his time in the Church and details of his father’s death and funeral, Major CV Clarke, in 1961, January 2008; - discussions about what will happen to the graveyard (God’s Acre) and the corner of Remembrance [Memorial Garden] and costs of re-internment; - right of way through 28 St Peter’s Street, 6 February 2008; - thank you letters from organisations who have used Church, including the Bedford Welsh Society, with brief history of society (17 February 2008) and the Scots’ Society of St Andrew, Bedford, 11 May 2008; - use of funds, including maintenance of the Manse, 50 Beverley Crescent; - payment of £5000 to Howard Memorial Church, Cardington, the proceeds of legacy from Ivy Louisa Gray, 11 March 2008; - acceptances and refusals to attend closing service from speakers and members of the congregation, including Rev Howard Starr; - exchange of ideas for content of last service with Order of Service; - application by Bedford Society to English Heritage to obtain Listed Building status for Church and organ, granting of Grade II status and dispute over terms of listing, 2008-2009; - tenants of Church, Langley House Trust, vacating at end of contract; - possibility of returning the organ case to St Paul’s Church, Bedford; - history and description of screen and organ with details of where some of the second-hand parts from, including Elephant & Castle Theatre, London, Regent Theatre, Preston and Rivoli Theatre, Southend; - Communion silver, 2009; - guidelines from Thames North Synod about grouping, amalgamation or closure of churches, 2001.

2 files

item

Bunney, David R,
Clarke, David,
Clarke, C.V.,
Gray, Ivy Louisa,
Starr, Howard

BEDFORD, Moravian Church, Bedford St Peter's Street, United Reformed Church, Bedford School, Bedford Museum, graveyards, rights of way, Bedford Welsh Society, Bedford Scots' Society of St. Andrew, Cardington Howard Memorial Chapel, Bedford Society, English Heritage, Bedford St Paul's Church, London Elephant & Castle Theatre, Preston Regent Theatre, Southend Rivoli Theatre, Bedford King’s Arms Church, Bedford Eagle Bookshop