Christ Church, Wanstead facts for kids
Christ Church is a Church of England church located in Wanstead, east London. It was built to serve the growing number of people in the Snaresbrook area. This growth happened because of the new railways, which brought more families to the area. The church was like a smaller, easier-to-reach church for people who lived far from the main church, St Mary the Virgin.
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Building Christ Church
Christ Church was designed by a famous architect named George Gilbert Scott. He was known for his work during the Gothic revival period. This was a time when people loved to build new buildings that looked like old Gothic churches from the 13th century.
Key Dates in Construction
The first stone of the church was put in place on 18 May 1860. This special event was led by Joseph Wigram, who was a bishop. A bishop is a senior leader in the Church of England.
The church was officially dedicated for religious use on 19 July 1861. This ceremony was performed by Archibald Tait, who was the Bishop of London at the time.
Expanding the Church
After it was first built, Christ Church became even bigger.
- In 1867, an extra section was added to the main part of the church, called the nave.
- A new side aisle was also built to match the one already there.
- Two years later, in 1869, a tall tower and a spire were added. A spire is the pointed top of a church tower.
- The last parts to be added were the vestries in 1889. These are rooms often used by the clergy (church leaders) to prepare for services.
The Architect: George Gilbert Scott
George Gilbert Scott was a very important architect in Victorian England. He designed many churches, cathedrals, and other large buildings. Besides Christ Church, he also designed another important building nearby. This building was originally for orphaned children, but today it is known as Snaresbrook Crown Court.
