Christ Church, Melplash facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Church |
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Christ Church
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Church of England |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Active |
| Year consecrated | 1846 |
| Location | |
| Location | Melplash, Dorset, England |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Benjamin Ferrey |
| Architectural type | Church |
Christ Church is a beautiful old church located in Melplash, a village in Dorset, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This special building was constructed between 1845 and 1846.
The church was designed by a famous architect named Benjamin Ferrey. Since 1984, it has been recognized as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a very important historical building. Today, Christ Church is part of the Beaminster Area Team Ministry, serving the local community.
Contents
History of Christ Church
The idea for Christ Church started many years before it was built. A man named Dr. Bandinel, who was a vicar (a type of priest) in a nearby area, dreamed of building a church in Melplash. He wanted to serve the people there, but he passed away before he could make his dream come true.
How the Church Was Built
Dr. Bandinel's son, James Bandinel, helped make his father's dream a reality. He donated a lot of money to cover the church's building costs. James also gave the land where the church stands and set up funds to help the church continue its work.
The first stone of the church was laid on May 15, 1845. About 4,000 people came to watch this important event! A builder named Mr. Davis from Langport constructed the church, following Benjamin Ferrey's designs.
Christ Church was officially opened and blessed on October 20, 1846. The Bishop of Salisbury, Edward Denison, led the special ceremony.
Buildings Around the Church
James Bandinel also cared about education in the village. He donated more land and paid for a school to be built next to the church in 1849. This building is now a house.
The church's first parsonage (the house where the vicar lives) was a converted farmhouse. It sadly burned down in 1882. A new house for the vicar was then built nearby. Later, in 1924, another new vicarage was built right next to the church.
In 1975, some changes were made inside the church. Parts of the main area, called the nave, could be separated. This allowed the space to be used for other activities, like a hall or even a badminton court!
Architecture of Christ Church
Christ Church is built from local stone, which means rocks found nearby. It has special decorative parts made from Ham stone, a type of yellowish-brown stone. The roofs are made of slate and lead.
Church Design and Style
The church was built in a style called Neo-Norman. This style looks a bit like the old Romanesque buildings from hundreds of years ago. It has strong, rounded arches and solid shapes.
The church has a cruciform plan, which means it's shaped like a cross when you look at it from above. It features a central tower in the middle. The main part of the church is called the nave. It also has north and south transepts (the arms of the cross shape). There's an apsidal chancel (a rounded end part), a vestry (a room for changing clothes) on the north side, and a porch on the south side.
