Christ Church, Wanstead facts for kids
Christ Church is a special Church of England church located in Wanstead, which is in east London. It was built to help the main church, St Mary the Virgin. Christ Church still shares its parish with St Mary's.
The church was needed because many more people moved into the Snaresbrook area. This happened because of the big growth in railway travel during that time.
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Building a Special Church
Christ Church was built when a style called the Gothic revival was very popular. This means its design looks like old churches from the late 1200s. It has a "geometric style" with clear shapes and patterns.
Who Designed Christ Church?
The church was designed by a famous architect named George Gilbert Scott. He also designed another important building nearby. This building was once a home for children without parents, called the Infant Orphan Asylum. Today, it is known as Snaresbrook Crown Court.
When Was It Built?
The very first stone of Christ Church was placed on 18 May 1860. This special event was done by Joseph Wigram, who was a Bishop of Rochester. A bishop is a high-ranking leader in the church. Joseph Wigram was also the brother of William Pitt Wigram, who was the main priest in Wanstead at the time.
The church was officially opened and made sacred on 19 July 1861. This ceremony was led by Archibald Tait, who was the Bishop of London.
Later Additions to the Church
Over the years, Christ Church grew bigger. In 1867, an extra section was added to the main part of the church, called the nave. This made the nave longer. A new side section, called a south aisle, was also added to match the north aisle that was already there.
Two years later, in 1869, a tall tower and a pointed spire were built. These made the church stand out even more. The rooms where the priests prepare for services, called vestries, were added later in 1889.
External links
- Official parish website: http://www.wansteadparish.org/
