Christ Church, Paignton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Church, Paignton |
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| 50°26′25″N 3°34′00″W / 50.4403°N 3.5667°W | |
| Location | Paignton, Devon, England |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Open evangelical |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Walter G. Couldrey, Edward Gabriel |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Early English/Gothic Revival |
| Completed | 1888 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 600 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Paignton Christ Church |
| Benefice | Paignton Christ Church and Preston St Paul |
| Deanery | Torbay |
| Archdeaconry | Totnes |
| Diocese | Exeter |
Christ Church is a special church in Paignton, Devon, England. It belongs to the Church of England. Two architects, Walter G. Couldrey and Edward Gabriel, designed it. The church was built a long time ago, between 1887 and 1888. Since 1993, it has been a Grade II listed building, which means it is an important historical building.
Contents
Building Christ Church
Christ Church was built when Paignton was growing very fast. People wanted a new church from about 1863. However, these early plans did not work out. In April 1886, a meeting was held to decide if a new church should be built. This church would serve the northern part of Paignton.
A lady named Mrs. Disney Robinson had already promised £1,500 to help start the church. After the meeting, people began to collect more money. A building committee was also set up. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners agreed to give the same amount of money as Mrs. Robinson. They also provided land for the church, a house for the vicar, and a school.
Who Designed and Built It?
Mr. Walter G. Couldrey from Paignton and Mr. Edward Gabriel from London worked together as the architects. They designed the new church. The builders were Messrs. Christopher and Robert Elliott Drew, who were from Paignton. Other local companies helped with the stone work.
Before the main church was built, a temporary iron church was put up in August 1886. This allowed services to start right away.
The Foundation Stone and Opening
The first stone of Christ Church was laid on April 26, 1887. The Bishop of Exeter, Edward Bickersteth, laid the stone. Mrs. Disney Robinson was supposed to do it, but it rained too much.
The church was finished earlier than expected. The Bishop of Exeter officially opened it on June 1, 1888. When the church was ready, a new church area called the ecclesiastical parish of Christ Church was created.
The original iron church was then used as a Sunday school. There were plans to build a permanent school, but this did not happen. The house for the vicar next to Christ Church was built in 1894. In 2002, Christ Church and St Paul's joined together. The old iron church is still used today as the church hall.
Christ Church Today
Christ Church is an active church. For a short time, it followed a specific tradition within the Church of England. However, in July 2022, the church council decided to support women serving in all church roles. This means Christ Church welcomes everyone to lead and serve.
Church Design
Christ Church is built from local red sandstone. It has special stone decorations. The church is designed in the Early English style. It was built to hold 600 people.
The church has a main area called a nave, with windows high up. It also has a chancel, which is the area near the altar. There are narrow aisles on the sides and two transepts, which are like arms of the church. There is also a room for the organ and a vestry.
A tall tower and spire were planned for the church. However, there was not enough money to build them. Inside, you can see the pulpit, which is a raised platform for speaking. It is made of Caen stone with marble pillars. The lectern, where the Bible is read, has a brass eagle on a piece of Dartmoor granite.
Gallery
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Christ Church church hall
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Interior June 2020
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Eagle lectern on Dartmoor stone
