Christ Church Cambridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Church Cambridge |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Conservative Evangelical |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Ely |
Christ Church Cambridge is a Church of England parish church located in the city of Cambridge, United Kingdom. It's a place where people gather for worship and community activities.
The church follows the conservative evangelical tradition within the Church of England. This means they focus on the Bible's teachings and sharing their faith. As of 2023, the main priest, called the vicar, is Rev. David Todd. Christ Church started in 2004 as a 'church plant'. This means a group of about 100 adults and children moved from another church, St Andrew the Great, to begin this new church with Rev. Steve Midgley.
Contents
What Happens at Christ Church?
Christ Church welcomes everyone to its services.
- Sunday Services: You can attend public services every Sunday at 9:30 AM, 11:15 AM, and 5:00 PM.
- Traditional Service: Every other week, there's a more traditional service at 3:00 PM.
- Kids' Groups: For children, there are special Sunday school groups during the morning services.
- Weekly Meetings: Many smaller group meetings take place throughout the week for different age groups and interests.
A Look Back: The History of Christ Church
The Abbey Church: A Much Older Building
Before Christ Church was built, there was a smaller church called the Abbey Church. It was also known as St Andrew the Less. This old church is on Newmarket Road in Cambridge. It used to be near a large religious building called Barnwell Priory. Today, only one part of the Priory, the Cellarer's Chequer, is still standing.
The Abbey Church was likely built around the early 1200s by the Augustinian Canons, who were a type of religious order from the Priory. It was meant for the people living in the nearby village of Barnwell. In 1731, a big fire destroyed most of the village. Luckily, the Abbey Church and only six houses survived.
Building Christ Church
Christ Church was officially opened and blessed by Joseph Allen, who was the Bishop of Ely, on June 27, 1839. Building the church cost about £3,800. This amount included a generous gift of £200 from Charles Perry. He was a very enthusiastic evangelist, meaning he was keen on spreading Christian teachings. Charles Perry later became the first Archbishop of Melbourne in Australia.
Christ Church is located in the same parish (a church's local area) as the old Abbey Church. When Christ Church was built, the Abbey Church was closed for regular services. So, Christ Church became the main church for the parish. This arrangement was made official in January 1846.
The inside of Christ Church is quite spacious. It is 58 feet wide, 87 feet long, and 44 feet high. Unlike most churches that face east, Christ Church faces south. Beautiful Stained glass windows were added in 1885. The cover for the font (a basin used for baptisms) was a gift from the Sunday school children.
The church has been updated and repaired a few times over the years, with major renovations in 1973 and 2013.
Christ Church Today
Christ Church is an active part of the Church of England. It is known for its conservative evangelical approach to faith. The church works with local groups to help the community.
- Community Support: It is part of the Besom volunteer network in Cambridge. This network helps people in need by connecting volunteers with projects.
- Homeless Project: The church also participates in the Cambridge Churches Homeless Project, which provides support to people experiencing homelessness.
