Christ Church, Wesham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Church |
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Christ Church from Garstang Road North
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| OS grid reference | SD 41762 33024 |
| Location | Wesham, Lancashire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 11 June 1986 |
| Architect(s) | Austin, Paley and Austin Austin and Paley |
| Construction cost | £3,350 (equivalent to £270,000 in 2021) |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Kirkham |
| Archdeaconry | Lancaster |
| Diocese | Blackburn |
| Province | York |
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Christ Church is a Christian church in Wesham, a small town in Lancashire, England. It belongs to the Church of England and is an active parish church. This means it serves the local community. The church was built between 1893 and 1894. It was designed by a famous architecture firm called Paley, Austin and Paley. Christ Church is recognized as a special building and is a Grade II listed building.
Contents
Building the Church: A Look at Its History
The construction of Christ Church began in 1893. The first part built was not the very front (east end) of the church. The architects were from Lancaster. The church was designed to hold 229 people. It cost £3,350 to build at that time. This amount would be worth much more today.
Later, in 1927–28, the church was made bigger. The east end was finally completed. A new entrance porch was added on the south side. More seats were also put in, increasing the capacity to 317 people. This work was done by Henry Paley, who was part of the firm Austin and Paley. This second phase of building cost £5,650.
Becoming a Parish Church
For a while, Christ Church was a "chapel-of-ease" for a larger church in Kirkham. This means it was a smaller church used for convenience. But in 1913, it became its own separate parish. This meant it had its own area and community to serve.
The first stone of the church was laid on June 30, 1892. Lady E. C. Clifton did this special ceremony. The church was officially opened and blessed (consecrated) by Bishop Moorhouse on September 27, 1894.
Special Recognition
On June 11, 1986, Christ Church was given a Grade II listed building status by English Heritage. This is a special recognition. It means the building is "nationally important and of special interest." There are three grades, and Grade II is the third highest.
Today, Christ Church is still an active church. It is part of the diocese of Blackburn. A diocese is a large area managed by a bishop. The church is also in the archdeaconry of Lancaster and the Deanery of Kirkham. It works together with Christ Church in Treales as a "benefice." This means they share a vicar or minister.
The Church's Design and Look
Christ Church is built in a style called Decorated Perpendicular style. It uses red bricks for most of its walls. The special decorative parts are made from red terracotta. The roof is covered with red tiles.
The church has a main hall (nave) and a special area near the altar (chancel). Both are under one roof. There is a tall tower on the south-west side. The tower has three levels and a stepped top made of sandstone. The pointed top part of the tower (steeple) is covered in green slate.
Inside the church, the main hall (nave) has six sections, called bays. There are stone pillars (piers) supporting the roof. The chancel has a large window at the east end. This window has beautiful stone patterns called mouchette tracery.
Outside the Church
The churchyard is the area around the church. It contains special war graves. These are the burial places of soldiers who died in World War I and World War II. There are two soldiers from World War I and four soldiers and a navy chaplain from World War II buried here.
There is also a memorial stone in the churchyard. This memorial remembers people who lived in the Wesham Workhouse.
See also
- Listed buildings in Medlar-with-Wesham
- List of works by Paley, Austin and Paley
- List of ecclesiastical works by Austin and Paley (1916–44)
