Christ Church, Clifton Down facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Christ Church, Clifton
Country	England
Denomination	Anglican
Tradition	Evangelical
Architecture
Architect(s)	Charles Dyer
Completed	1841
Administration
Benefice	Clifton, Christ Church with Emmanuel
Deanery	Bristol West
Archdeaconry	Bristol
Diocese	Bristol

Christ Church (grid reference ST571739) is a beautiful old church located in Clifton, Bristol, England. It belongs to the Church of England, which is the main Christian church in England. This special building is also known as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a very important historical building that needs to be protected because of its special architecture and history.

History of Christ Church

Building the Church

The main part of Christ Church was built in 1841. The architect who designed it was Charles Dyer. Later, more parts were added to the church. In 1859, John Norton designed the tall steeple. Then, in 1885, William Basset Smith added the side sections, called aisles.

Inspiring Good Works

Christ Church has a history of inspiring people to do good things. A special Christian event held here helped Emma Saunders decide to dedicate her life to helping others. Starting in 1878, she spent fifty years working as the "Railwayman's Friend" in Bristol. She helped many people who worked on the railways.

Recent Events at the Church

In 2015, the church had to close for about two weeks. This happened because strong winds damaged the steeple. Luckily, it was repaired and reopened.

Today, Christ Church is part of the Diocese of Bristol. It is also connected to the New Wine Network, which is a group of churches. The church welcomes women to take on important roles in leadership and public ministry.

Architecture of the Church

Building Style and Materials

Christ Church is built from limestone, which is a type of rock. It has a roof made of slate. The church is designed in a style called Early English Gothic Revival. This means it looks like churches built a long time ago in England. The church has a cross shape, which is called cruciform. It also has an octagonal (eight-sided) apse, which is a rounded part at the end of the church. The north transept, which is one of the arms of the cross shape, has strong supports called buttresses.

The Tall Steeple

The church has a very tall steeple that sits on top of a five-story tower. The steeple is about 65 meters (213 feet) high! At the bottom of the tower, there is a special doorway. This doorway has columns made of Purbeck marble, which is a type of stone.

Inside the Church

Inside Christ Church, there is a west gallery. This is like a balcony at the back of the church. It is held up by strong cast iron columns. These columns are covered with wood to make them look nice.

A Replica in China

Did you know there's a copy of Christ Church in China? In a place called Thames Town, near Shanghai, there's a replica of the church. Thames Town was built to look like an English town, and Christ Church's design was chosen as one of its buildings.

Church Records

Records for Christ Church, Clifton, Bristol, are kept at Bristol Archives (Ref. P.CC). These records include important documents like baptism and marriage registers. They also have information about the church leaders, churchwardens, and other church groups. You can find an online catalogue to see what records are available.

See also

• List of tallest buildings and structures in Bristol
• Churches in Bristol
• Grade II* listed buildings in Bristol