Church of Christ the Cornerstone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of Christ the Cornerstone |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| 52°02′28″N 0°45′40″W / 52.041128°N 0.761099°W | |
| OS grid reference | SP850388 |
| Location | Milton Keynes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Ecumenical |
| Website | CornerstoneMK.co.uk |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Dedication | by Queen Elizabeth II |
| Dedicated | 13 March 1992 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Ecumenical Church |
| Architect(s) | Iain Smith |
| Groundbreaking | 31 May 1990 |
| Completed | 20 December 1991 |
The Church of Christ the Cornerstone is a special church in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. It's an Ecumenical church, which means different Christian groups work together and share the same building. These groups include the Church of England, the Baptist Union, the Methodist Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and the United Reformed Church.
The church was finished in 1991. It stands in Central Milton Keynes on Saxon Gate, between Midsummer and Silbury boulevards. The Fred Roche Memorial Gardens are located behind it. It was the first church of its kind in a city centre in the United Kingdom.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
How It Started
In 1979, different church groups decided to work together. This partnership began with a special service in Middleton Hall. On April 6, 1980, the church community started meeting at a place called Centrecom. Later, in 1981, they moved next door to the Milton Keynes Central Library.
Building the Church
On May 31, 1990, the building work officially began. Jock Campbell, Baron Campbell of Eskan, who was the first leader of the Milton Keynes Development Corporation, broke ground on the site. The church was designed by Iain Smith from Planning Design Development in Milton Keynes.
The area around the church, called Church Square, was built by Beazer Developments. The church building itself was constructed by Marriotts of Rushden. On December 20, 1991, the construction was completed. The church was then ready for its congregations.
The church community moved into their new building on January 12, 1992. A large cross was placed on top of the church on March 29, 1991. This cross was designed by an artist named Alan Evans from Stroud.
The church building is 101 feet (about 31 meters) tall to the top of its lantern. The cross adds another 18 feet (about 5.5 meters) to its height. On March 13, 1992, Queen Elizabeth II officially dedicated the church. Music for this special service was composed by Jonathan Dove.
The Church Organ
The church has a large organ made by J. W. Walker & Sons Ltd. It was first built in 1965 for the Royal College of Organists in Kensington. When the College moved out in 1991, the organ was moved and installed in the Church of Christ the Cornerstone.
Visiting the Church
The church's chapel is open every day from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. There is also a café that is open from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
On weekends, there are services in the church. A Catholic Vigil Mass is held on Saturday at 5:30 pm. On Sunday, there is a morning service at 10:00 am and an evening service at 6:00 pm. During the week, Daily Prayer is held at 9:30 am from Monday to Friday. There is also a Catholic Mass on Mondays at 12:30 pm.
See also
- Central Milton Keynes
