Christ Church, Shelton and Oxon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Church, Shelton and Oxon |
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| 52°42′50″N 2°48′07″W / 52.714°N 2.802°W | |
| Location | Welshpool Road, Shrewsbury |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | www.oxonparishchurch.co.uk |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Edward Haycock Snr |
| Style | Early English |
| Years built | 1854 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Lichfield |
Christ Church, Shelton and Oxon, is a church located in Shrewsbury, England. It is part of the Church of England and serves the local community in the areas of Shelton and Oxon. The church is found on Welshpool Road, which is now a busy part of suburban Shrewsbury.
Contents
History and Design
Building the Church
Christ Church was built in 1854 by a famous architect named Edward Haycock Snr. He designed the church in a style called "Early English." This style was popular in England a long time ago, and it often includes tall, narrow windows. The church is considered a special building and is listed as a Grade II building, meaning it's important to protect its history and design.
Inside and Out
The outside walls of the church are made of rough stone called rubble. But the parts around the windows and doors, called dressings, are made of smooth, cut stone known as ashlar. The church has a small bell tower on its roof and a covered entrance called a gabled porch.
Inside, the roof has a unique "scissor-braced" design, which looks like crossed scissors. There is also a beautiful altar screen, called a reredos, made of ashlar stone. This screen was started in 1886 and finished in 1904. The church also has an ashlar pulpit, which is where the priest gives sermons. It has a carving of a pelican, a bird often used as a symbol in churches. The font, used for baptisms, is also made of ashlar and has eight sides.
Stained Glass Windows
The church is known for its lovely stained glass windows. These colorful windows were added over many years, with some dating back to 1884, 1948, and 1967. A special new stained glass window was put in place in 2001 to celebrate the start of the new millennium. This window is located above the chancel arch, which is the arch leading to the main altar area.
Community and Parish
Serving the Community
The church was built to help people who lived in areas that were often cut off by floods from the River Severn. It was built on a piece of land known as "Windmill Field." The area the church serves, called its parish, was originally part of St Chad's Church, Shrewsbury. Over time, the parish boundaries have changed to include more people as the area grew. Today, the parish has about 8,500 people, and the church itself can seat about 150 visitors.
Special Celebrations
In 2004, Christ Church celebrated its 150th birthday! To mark this special occasion, a new tree, called the Oxon Oak, was planted.
School Connections
Christ Church has a close link with the Oxon Church of England Primary School. The school first opened right next to the church in 1860. Later, in 1959, the school moved to a new location nearby on Racecourse Lane.
Churchyard and War Graves
The churchyard, which is the burial ground around the church, holds a special place for remembrance. It contains the war graves of three brave service members from World War II. These include two airmen from the Royal Air Force and one soldier from the Herefordshire Regiment. Their graves are a reminder of their sacrifice.
