St Anthony

The church was acquired by Bishop Antony, Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese in Ireland, Scotland and NE England on behalf of the Coptic congregation in 1997. 

The church has had extensive repairs. The church is a grade II listed building, erected in 1874. The church consists of a nave, channel, north and south aisles, with vestry and organ chamber. There are several stained windows. The tower and spire, with a peal of bells, were completed in 1910. The tower is 64 feet high, and the spire 57 feet high, the total height being 121 feet. The church bells were broadcast by the BBC in the New Year 1990. St Stephen’s was made redundant in 1991, and the parish of Eastwood was dissolved. There was real threat of demolition.

There is much to see in the church today. Although the majority of its original features are preserved, you will notice the Coptic style has been added through internal adaptations. This includes a beautiful iconostasis and many eye catching Coptic icons. The iconostasis separates altar from the nave. There is also an elevated area for the deacons’ choir followed by the main area for the congregation.

The church has a hall complemented by a kitchen. Upstairs is a small chapel designed in the same styles as the churches found in Coptic monasteries.