Christ Church North Finchley facts for kids
Christ Church North Finchley is a special kind of church in North London. It's part of the Church of England, which is the main Christian church in England. You can find it at 620 High Road, in North Finchley.
The people at Christ Church are a lively Christian community. They come from many different countries and backgrounds. What brings them together is their strong belief in Jesus Christ. They believe Jesus helps them understand God through the Bible. They also believe Jesus is still active in the world today.
Contents
History of Christ Church
The First Vicar: Henry Stephens
The story of Christ Church North Finchley began with Henry Stephens. He was born in Liverpool. In 1864, he came to North Finchley as a missionary. A missionary is someone who shares their faith with others.
Henry Stephens especially wanted to reach the many railway workers in the area. The railway had just arrived, bringing new people to Finchley. He spent a lot of time preaching outdoors, sharing his message with everyone.
Building the Church and School
Rev. Stephens led the building of the current church. Construction started in 1867. He also helped start Christ Church school, which is now called Wren Academy. He even founded another nearby church, St Barnabas.
A special plaque inside the church talks about Henry Stephens. It says he was "Ever mindful of the spiritual welfare of his flock." This means he always cared deeply about the spiritual well-being of the people he served. His main goal was to "preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified." This idea, that Jesus's message is what people need most, is still important at Christ Church today.
Dr. Catherine Ironside: A Missionary's Story
Dr. Catherine Ironside was a member of Christ Church. She left her life in Finchley to become a missionary doctor. She traveled far away to Esfahan, Iran, to help people there.
Sadly, Catherine Ironside passed away in 1922 during a big flu outbreak. To remember her, a beautiful cover was carved for the church's font. A font is a basin used for baptisms. The carving style looks like art from Esfahan, Iran.
This font cover has a special meaning. It shows a Star of David, which is a Jewish symbol. This reminds people that Jesus is believed to be the Jewish Messiah. The Persian wood carving shows that Jesus's message is for people everywhere, from all nations. Christ Church has always supported missionaries around the world. Today, the church has people from many different countries, making it a very diverse community.
