Christ Church, East Stour facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Church |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Church of England |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Active |
| Year consecrated | 1842 |
| Location | |
| Location | East Stour, Dorset, England |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | George Alexander |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Architectural style | Neo-Norman, Romanesque |
Christ Church is an old and important church in East Stour, a village in Dorset, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This church is a special building, listed as Grade II, which means it is protected for its history and design. George Alexander designed it, and it was built between 1841 and 1842. Today, it is part of a group of churches called the Stour Vale Benefice.
Contents
History of Christ Church
Why a New Church Was Built
Christ Church was built from 1841 to 1842. It replaced a much older church from the Middle Ages. The old church was falling apart and was too small. By 1840, East Stour had over 500 people, but the old church could only fit 140.
The idea for a new church came from Rev. Henry Deane, the vicar of Gillingham. The old church was taken down in 1839. George Alexander from London drew the plans for the new church. He also watched over its building. The new church was designed to be much bigger, holding up to 400 people.
In October 1840, a group called the Salisbury Diocesan Church Building Association gave £150 to help pay for the new church. The new church was finished and officially opened by the Bishop of Salisbury, Edward Denison, on April 1, 1842.
Changes Over the Years
The church was updated in 1866. Its wooden parts were stained and varnished, and the inside was made better. This work cost about £100, and most of the money came from people in the village.
An organ, built by Henry Bevington of London, was put into the church in 1877. It was first used on November 1. The churchyard, where people are buried, was made larger in 1908. Lord Stalbridge gave the extra land. The Bishop of Salisbury, John Wordsworth, officially opened the new part on April 10, 1908.
More changes and improvements happened between 1934 and 1939. A new room for clergy (a south vestry) and a new entrance (a north porch) were added. A balcony at the back of the main part of the church (the nave) was taken out. This allowed the organ to be moved to a new spot.
The front part of the church (the chancel) was opened up. New stone floors were put in, and electric lights were added. The altar was changed, with new decorations, curtains, a cross, and candlesticks. Two oak seats for the clergy were also added. Two Persian rugs were placed in the special area around the altar. All this work cost about £485. The Bishop of Salisbury, Neville Lovett, officially opened these new parts on February 26, 1939.
The church organ was fixed up in 1972 by Geo Osmond & Co from Taunton. In the early 2000s, the main part of the church and the tower were repaired. Also, a kitchen and a toilet for people with disabilities were added.
Architecture of Christ Church
Christ Church is built from local limestone, with special stone called Greensand for details. Its roofs are covered with slate. The church has a cross-shaped plan. This means it has a main part (the nave), two side arms (north and south transepts), and a front part (the chancel). It also has a south vestry, a north porch, and a tower where the main parts meet. There are round stair towers on the outside that lead up to balconies in the transepts.
Old Features Inside
Some items from the old medieval church were moved to the new Christ Church. The most notable is the stone font, which is a large bowl used for baptisms. This bowl is made of Purbeck Marble and dates back to the 12th century. It sits on a round sandstone base from the 1800s.
The lectern, where readings are given, has a carved pelican and is from the 1700s. Its base is from the early 1900s. The church also has an oak bible box from the 1600s and two oak chests from the 1700s. The bell in the tower is very old, from the 1500s. The pulpit, where sermons are given, is from the early 1900s. It replaced an earlier one from when the church was first rebuilt.
Windows and Stained Glass
The church has many windows that are rounded at the top. The stained glass in the small windows of the chancel was put in when the church was first built in 1841–42. Other stained glass was added in 1872 by Mr. T. Everett to remember his wife. These windows were designed by Clayton and Bell of London and made by Mr. J. M. Jenkins of Salisbury. The large east window, which is also rounded at the top and has three sections, was put in to remember Rev. Deane, who passed away in 1882.
