Christ Church, Swindon facts for kids
Christ Church is a beautiful and historic church located in Swindon, England. It's a very important building, recognized for its special history and design. It was built a long time ago, in 1851, by a famous architect named George Gilbert Scott.
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Christ Church: A Historic Building
Christ Church stands proudly on Cricklade Street in Swindon, Wiltshire. It's considered a Grade II* listed building, which means it's a really important historical site that needs to be protected. It was designed by the well-known architect George Gilbert Scott and finished in 1851. This church is one of the two main historic buildings in the Old Town area of Swindon, with the old town hall just a short walk away.
A Look Inside: Modern Changes
Even though Christ Church is old, it has been updated to be more comfortable and useful today. In 2017, the inside of the church was changed to make it easier for everyone to move around. They also added a new gas heating system to keep it warm and bright LED lights. The long wooden benches, called pews, were kept but given a clever new system. This allows them to be moved sometimes, creating more open space for bigger events or activities.
A Place for Everyone: The Community Centre
The area around Christ Church isn't just for the church itself. There's also a modern community centre right on the church grounds. This centre is a busy place that hosts many different events and activities for the local community. It's a great spot for people to gather and connect.
Famous People Connected to Christ Church
A famous person is buried in the grounds of Christ Church: Tommy Cullinan. He was an Irish jockey, born in 1906. Sadly, he passed away in 1940 and is buried in a special Commonwealth War Grave there.
Tommy Cullinan was very successful in horse racing. In 1930, he made history by becoming the first jockey to win the unofficial Triple Crown of National Hunt racing in a single season. This means he rode the winning horse in three very important races: the Grand National, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and the Champion Hurdle.
Other Churches in the Area
Christ Church is not the only church in its parish. There is also a second church called St Mary's. This building was built in the 20th century and is located on The Mall. It is connected to a complex of sheltered housing.
