London, Chelsea - Christ Church (02 & 03)
St. Luke’s and Christ Church
Christchurch Street, London, SW3 4AS
The church was consecrated in 1839 due to the expansion of London. Prior to this Chelsea was open countryside. The church was essentially for working class people employed in the many grand houses in the vicinity.
The church was built in the traditional style, The Nave, Aisles and a gallery over the Aisles. It had a large pulpit in the centre but no place for a choir. A bit austere.
The church was designed by Edward Blore a very well-known individual. He designed the main front of Buckingham Palace in 1846.
In 1876 the church was gifted firstly an organ from St Michael, Queenhithe and secondly the pulpit from an unknown city church. Both these were gifts from churches that were demolished due to reconstruction of the City. In 1890 there were alterations, the nave roof was completely rebuilt, and there was further renovation to the supporting pillars between aisles and the nave. Both the west and east ends of the church were extended. Finally the western gallery and most of the old pews were removed. New larger pews were installed.
It has some lovely windows; one particularly is designed from The Creation to honour William Wilberforce and the Earl of Shaftsbury with their efforts to bring social justice into the main stream of life.
London, Chelsea - Christ Church (02 & 03)
St. Luke’s and Christ Church
Christchurch Street, London, SW3 4AS
The church was consecrated in 1839 due to the expansion of London. Prior to this Chelsea was open countryside. The church was essentially for working class people employed in the many grand houses in the vicinity.
The church was built in the traditional style, The Nave, Aisles and a gallery over the Aisles. It had a large pulpit in the centre but no place for a choir. A bit austere.
The church was designed by Edward Blore a very well-known individual. He designed the main front of Buckingham Palace in 1846.
In 1876 the church was gifted firstly an organ from St Michael, Queenhithe and secondly the pulpit from an unknown city church. Both these were gifts from churches that were demolished due to reconstruction of the City. In 1890 there were alterations, the nave roof was completely rebuilt, and there was further renovation to the supporting pillars between aisles and the nave. Both the west and east ends of the church were extended. Finally the western gallery and most of the old pews were removed. New larger pews were installed.
It has some lovely windows; one particularly is designed from The Creation to honour William Wilberforce and the Earl of Shaftsbury with their efforts to bring social justice into the main stream of life.