Christ Church, Worthing facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Church |
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The church seen from the south
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| 50°48′45″N 0°22′25″W / 50.81258°N 0.37359°W | |
| Location | Grafton Road, Worthing, West Sussex |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | www.ChristChurchWorthing.org.uk/ |
| History | |
| Founded | 1840 |
| Dedicated | 1843 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | John Elliott |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 1812 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Worthing, Holy Trinity with Christ Church |
| Diocese | Diocese of Chichester |
Christ Church is a historic church in the town of Worthing, England. It was officially opened in 1843. The church was built to make sure that poorer people in the town had a place to worship.
At 85 feet (26 metres) tall, Christ Church is one of the most noticeable buildings in Worthing. It is made of a type of stone called flint. It is the second oldest Church of England church still used in the center of Worthing. The oldest is St Paul's Church, which is just a short walk away.
Contents
History of the Church
Why Was It Built?
In the 1800s, Worthing was growing. There was another church nearby, now called St Paul's, but it was a special type of chapel where people had to pay for their seats. This meant that people with less money often couldn't attend.
The community decided to build a new church where everyone would be welcome, especially the poor. People donated money to build Christ Church between 1840 and 1843. At first, it was considered a "chapel of ease," which is like a smaller, extra church for a larger parish. But by 1855, it became an official parish church of its own.
Christ Church Schools
In 1860, schools for girls and young children were built next to the church. The school building was designed in the same historic Gothic Revival style as the church, using flint stones.
Famous People and Events
A Famous Explorer's Grave
The church has a burial ground where many local people were laid to rest. One of the most famous people buried here is John Turtle Wood. He was an architect and archaeologist.
Wood is best known for discovering the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus in modern-day Turkey. This was a major archaeological find. He lived in Worthing and was buried at Christ Church when he died.
Helping the Community
In 1859, the church's leader, Philip Bennett Power, started a reading room for working men on a nearby street. This was a place where men could go to read and learn. He also edited a local paper called the Worthing Messenger and Workmen's Friend.
The Church Today
For a while, the church faced the risk of closing. But in 2008, it was given a chance to grow its community again. It joined with another local church, Holy Trinity, to form a new parish.
Since 2013, a priest has been in charge of both churches. As of 2014, all services for the parish are held at Christ Church. This has helped it remain an active and important part of the Worthing community.
Music at Christ Church
Christ Church is known for its wonderful music, especially its choir. The church has a large and impressive pipe organ.
The organ was not originally built for Christ Church. It was built in 1892 for a church in Rochdale, a town in northern England. When that church was going to be knocked down in the 1960s, the organ was saved. It was rebuilt and installed in Christ Church in 1970, where it is still played today.
See also
