Christ Church, Nelson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Church |
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The church in 2008
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| 53°50′11.8″N 2°12′59.9″W / 53.836611°N 2.216639°W | |
| Location | Carr Rd, Nelson, Lancashire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Methodist Church of Great Britain Roman Catholic Church |
| Website | Catholic Directory |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Grimshaw & Townsend |
| Completed | 2004 (shared church building) |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford |
Christ Church is a special kind of church in Nelson, Lancashire, England. It's located on Carr Road in the middle of the town. What makes it unique is that two different Christian groups, the Methodist Church of Great Britain and the Roman Catholic Church, share the same building. They have been sharing it since 2004. This is a rare and great example of different churches working together.
What is Christ Church?
Christ Church is more than just a building; it's a place where two Christian traditions come together. This idea of different churches sharing a space and working together is called an ecumenical partnership. It means they cooperate and support each other, even though they have some different ways of doing things.
A Special Partnership
Before sharing this new building, the Catholic community in Nelson had its own churches, the first being dedicated to St Joseph. In 2001, the Catholic and Methodist groups started sharing an older building. This was a big step towards their partnership.
Work on the current Christ Church building began in 2002. It was officially opened on June 6, 2004, by Bishop Terence Brain. Many years later, in 2019, leaders from both the Methodist and Catholic churches met. They held a special ceremony to renew their "covenant," which is like a promise to continue their shared journey. Today, the church is still very active. Both Methodist services and Catholic masses are held there regularly.
Building the Church
The Christ Church building is made with a strong steel frame and concrete blocks. The outside is covered with local stone, and it has a slate roof. Inside, you can see beautiful stained glass windows. There are also special banners that have a unique, split design.
