Christ Church, Crewkerne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Church |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Church of England |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Demolished |
| Year consecrated | 1854 |
| Location | |
| Location | Crewkerne, Somerset, England |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | James Mountford Allen |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Architectural style | Perpendicular |
Christ Church was a church in Crewkerne, Somerset, England. It belonged to the Church of England. It was built between 1852 and 1854. The church was designed by James Mountford Allen. Sadly, Christ Church was taken down in 1975. Today, homes called Christchurch Court stand where the church once was.
Contents
Why Christ Church Was Built
Christ Church was built to help the main church in town, St Bartholomew. It was like a smaller, extra church for people to use. Crewkerne was growing, and St Bartholomew's Church wasn't big enough for everyone anymore.
By 1842, over 4,000 people lived in Crewkerne. The main church only had 800 seats. Only 108 of these seats were free for people who couldn't afford to pay. People first thought about adding more seating inside St Bartholomew's. But some people didn't like this idea. They felt it would spoil the church's beauty.
So, in 1851, a group was formed to plan a new church. They found a spot on South Street. A kind person named Mr. William Hoskins gave a large sum of money, £1,000, to help. He wanted to make sure poor people had a place to worship. He asked that most of the seats in the new church be free for everyone. The rest of the money needed was raised by people donating.
Building and Opening the Church
The plans for the new church were drawn by James Mountford Allen, an architect from Crewkerne. The builders were Messrs John Chick from Beaminster. The first stone of the church was laid on August 31, 1852. This was done by Mr. Thomas Hoskins.
The church was officially opened on September 20, 1854. The Bishop of Bath and Wells, Robert Eden, led the special ceremony. The total cost to build the church and set up its funds was £3,932.
Changes and Challenges
In 1878, Christ Church was improved and restored. It reopened in November of that year. The church's vestry, a room used by clergy, was made bigger in 1900. A new organ was added in 1910. It was built by James Ivimey from Southampton.
By the 1960s, fewer people were attending Christ Church. Many preferred to go to St Bartholomew's. Only older members who had used Christ Church for many years still went there. In 1965, there were talks about selling or renting the church to the Roman Catholic Church. The local Catholic church needed more space. However, these plans did not happen.
The Church's End
On August 7, 1969, the Church of England decided Christ Church was no longer needed. Even though it was a historic building, the church leaders wanted to take it down. They planned to build homes there instead.
In January 1975, the local council agreed to the demolition. Christ Church was taken down in 1975. In its place, a group of eight flats and garages called Christchurch Court was built. The old tombstones in the churchyard were broken up and used for building foundations. Any families who wanted to move tombstones could do so.
Today, a Blue plaque is on the wall where the church used to be. It helps people remember Christ Church and its history.
Church Design
Christ Church was built using local stone found right on the site. It also used Hamstone for its decorative parts. The church had a main area called a nave with four sections. It also had a clerestory, which is a row of windows high up. There was a north aisle, a chancel (the area around the altar), and a vestry on one side. An organ chapel was on the other side. A small bell tower, called a bellcote, was on the roof at the west end.
The arches, windows, and other decorations were made by Charles Trask. The church's font, a basin used for baptisms, was made of Caen stone. It also had carvings by Mr. Trask. The church was designed to have 410 seats, with 321 of them being free for anyone to use.
