Christ Church, Ashford facts for kids

Christ Church is a church located in Ashford, a town in Kent, England. It is an active Anglican church, which means it belongs to the Church of England. It is a parish church, serving the local community. The church is considered an important historical building. It is officially listed as a Grade II building in the National Heritage List for England. This means it's protected because of its special architectural or historical interest.

History of Christ Church

Why the Church Was Built

In the mid-1800s, the town of Ashford grew a lot. This was because a large workshop for building and fixing trains, called the South Eastern Railway Company locomotive works, was built there. More people meant there was a need for a new church.

Designing the Church

In 1864, a competition was held to find the best design for the new church. A young architect named Hubert Austin won the competition. He was working as an assistant to a famous architect, George Gilbert Scott, at the time. Christ Church was Austin's very first church design. In 1867, Austin joined another architect, E. G. Paley, to form a new company called Paley and Austin.

Building and Cost

The church was built between 1866 and 1867. Most of the money for building it came from the people who owned shares in the South Eastern Railway Company. Because of this, many people called it "the railwayman's church." The church cost £4,219 to build. The land for the church was given by G. Jemmett, who was the lord of the manor (a local landowner) at that time. The church was big enough to seat about 600 people. A small room called a vestry, used by the clergy, was added in 1910.

Architecture of Christ Church

Christ Church, Beaver Road, Ashford, Kent

Building Materials and Shape

Christ Church is built using a type of stone called ragstone. It also has special decorative parts made from Bath stone. The roofs are covered with slate tiles. The church's layout includes a main open area called a nave. This nave has five sections, or "bays," and a row of windows high up called a clerestory. On either side of the nave are narrower areas called north and south aisles. There is also a small entrance area, or porch, on the south side.

Other Parts of the Church

At the front of the church is the chancel, which is where the altar is located. Next to the chancel, on the north side, are the vestry and a room for the organ. Near the back of the church, there is a small tower called a bell turret.

Windows and Inside Features

The windows on the north and south sides of the church are tall and narrow, known as lancet windows. The windows at the east and west ends are larger and have decorative stone patterns called Geometric tracery. Inside the church, the arches that separate the nave from the aisles are supported by round pillars, or piers. The church also has a two-keyboard organ. This organ was built by Bishop and Son in 1897.

See also

• Ashford railway works