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Church of Christ the King, Birkenhead
Christ the King, Birkenhead (4).JPG
Church of Christ the King, Birkenhead,
from the northwest
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OS grid reference SJ 311 895
Location Beckwith Street, Birkenhead, Wirral, Merseyside
Country England
Denomination Anglican
Churchmanship Central churchmanship
Website Birkenhead Priory Parish
History
Former name(s) St Anne's Church, Birkenhead
Status Parish church
Architecture
Functional status Active
Heritage designation Grade II
Designated 21 July 1987
Architect(s) William Cole,
Charles Aldridge (chancel extension)
Architectural type Church
Style Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking 1846
Completed 1893
Specifications
Materials Sandstone, slate roof
Administration
Parish Birkenhead Priory
Deanery Birkenhead
Archdeaconry Chester
Diocese Chester
Province York

The Church of Christ the King is a historic church located on Beckwith Street in Birkenhead, Merseyside, England. It is an active Anglican church, which means it's part of the Church of England. This church serves the people in the center of Birkenhead town. It's also a "Grade II listed building," meaning it's an important historical building protected by law.

The Church's Story

The Church of Christ the King was built a long time ago, between 1846 and 1850. A person named William Cole designed the original building. Later, in 1892–93, Charles Aldridge made the chancel (the part of the church near the altar) much longer.

The church was first called Saint Anne's Church. However, in 1991, its name was changed to Christ the King after some changes were made inside.

What the Church Looks Like

The church is made from red sandstone and has a slate roof. Its style is called Decorated Gothic, which is a type of Gothic Revival design.

Outside the Church

The church has a main area called the nave without side aisles. It also has north and south transepts (parts that stick out like arms). There's a chancel at the east end and small rooms called vestries on either side.

At the west end, there's a tall tower with a spire on top. The tower has an entrance door at the bottom with a window above it. Higher up, there are three rows of blind arcading, which look like arches but are solid. The bell openings are in pairs, and the top of the tower has fancy stone patterns.

The spire is set back from the edge of the tower. It's decorated with crockets (small, hook-shaped carvings) and supported by flying buttresses (arches that help support the walls). The sides of the nave and transepts have buttresses that go up to pointed pinnacles. Each section has a window with three lights (sections of glass). There are also doorways on the north and south sides of the transepts. These doorways have canopied niches with statues inside them.

Inside the Church

Inside, there are triple arches between the nave and the transepts. The inside of the church has been divided into different areas. The church has a pipe organ with two manuals (keyboards). It was built by Henry Willis & Sons, possibly in 1878. The organ was moved from the chancel to a transept in 1897.

See also

  • Listed buildings in Birkenhead
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