St. Luke's Parish Gazette

A fine example of the how cine film surpasses photographs in its ability to reveal something of the personalities of people who can be identified by a specific time and place, St Luke’s Church, Beeston Hill in Leeds 1934. But much more than this, the film provides a strong sense of the solidarity of interwar church life. There are also wonderful displays of scouts boxing, fencing and building human pyramids, as well as the church football team in action.

This is one of many films by accomplished Leeds amateur filmmaker John (Jack) Eley, from 1932 to 1980. St Luke’s (the Evangelist) is a C of E church on Malvern Road. The Parish covers the relatively poor area of Holbeck and Beeston Hill. Seen in the film is the vicar, the Revd. W E Smith (known as just W E), who served from 1918 to 1936. His wife, Catherine Smith, organised the pantomimes. The church also had two exceptional musical brothers, Harold and Ernest Bradbury. It was a very active church at this time, with a strong Parochial Council – set up by the 1920 Enabling Act. Apart from missionary work, they had, as can be seen here, a football team and Scout group, but also Girl Guides and Brownie groups.