St Luke’s Church, Langley, was opened on October 14, 1893, and almost exactly 127 years later on October 13, 2020, the church was connected to mains water and mains drainage.

The St Luke’s committee of congregation and community members is delighted that the three-year project has at last been realised.

It was made possible through careful planning and the financial support of many local and national funding bodies – Wiveliscombe Consolidated Charities, Wiveliscombe and District Rotary Club, Jim Laker Memorial Fund, Wiveliscombe Town Council, Garfield Weston Foundation, Langley Marsh Social Club, The Fairfield Trust for the new roof – individual donations and fundraising events.

The committee is grateful for the generous co-operation of St Luke’s nearest neighbours, who have enabled an easier solution to some of the technical problems – their kindness has made the project far less onerous and far less costly. WCI of Wiveliscombe carried out the work.

The next phase of St Luke’s 20/20 Vision is the installation of a small kitchen – a grant from Somerset Community Foundation has part-funded the preparatory work and repairs to the fabric of the proposed kitchen area. Eventually an accessible lavatory is planned.

These works will ensure St Luke’s is fully equipped to provide a safe, fully compliant venue for worship and community activities.

It is hoped that before long St Luke’s can resume the programme of well-attended concerts, art exhibitions, recitals, talks, afternoon teas, coffee mornings and church events that have brought pleasure to so many people in the 10 Parishes and beyond.