Christ Church, Bradford-on-Avon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Church, Bradford-on-Avon |
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| Town or city | Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°21′04″N 2°14′56″W / 51.351°N 2.249°W |
| Completed | 1841 |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Oolitic limestone masonry walls with iron clamps |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | G. P. Manners |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Reference #: | 1036077 |
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Christ Church is an Anglican church located in the northern part of Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, England. It is part of the Bradford Deanery, which belongs to the Diocese of Salisbury. This church has a rich history and interesting architectural features.
Contents
Why Christ Church Was Built
In the early 1800s, many people living in the northern area of Bradford-on-Avon found it hard to attend their main church. This was the Norman-era Holy Trinity church, located down the hill in the town centre. People felt it was not easy to get to, and the church building itself needed a lot of repairs. At that time, the ancient Saxon Church of St Lawrence, which is across from Holy Trinity, had not yet been discovered. Because of these reasons, a new church was needed closer to where people lived.
Designing the New Church
A new church area, or parish, called Christ Church was created. The design for the new building was given to Bath architect G. P. Manners in 1839. The church was officially opened in 1841. When it was first built, it had a simple design. It featured plain walls, clear glass windows, and stone floors. The style was known as Perpendicular style, a type of Gothic architecture.
Changes Over Time
Later in the Victorian era, people preferred churches to look more detailed and grand. So, in 1875, Christ Church was "restored" by a famous architect named Sir George Gilbert Scott. During this work, the east end of the church was rebuilt. An extra section was added beyond the east wall to create a special area called a sanctuary.
Continued Improvements
After Sir George Gilbert Scott passed away in 1878, his son, John Oldrid Scott, took over the work inside the church. More changes happened in 1884, including the addition of a south porch. In 1919, C.E. Ponting added the south chapel. This chapel was built as a memorial to C. Eric Moulton, honoring those who served in the war.
Church Bells
Christ Church has a set of eight bells. These bells were made in 1923 by a company called Gillett & Johnston from Croydon. They are used to ring out melodies for services and special occasions.
Historical Importance
The church was given a special status in 1952. It was designated as Grade II* listed. This means it is a very important historic building. The famous architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner described it as a "big, prosperous church." Today, Christ Church is part of the North Bradford-on-Avon benefice, which is a group of churches working together.
