Christ Church, Paignton
50°26′25″N 3°34′00″W / 50.4403°N 3.5667°W / 50.4403; -3.5667
LocationPaignton, Devon, England
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
ChurchmanshipOpen evangelical
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architect(s)Walter G. Couldrey, Edward Gabriel
Architectural typeChurch
StyleEarly English/Gothic Revival
Completed1888
Specifications
Capacity600
Administration
DioceseExeter
ArchdeaconryTotnes
DeaneryTorbay
BeneficePaignton Christ Church and Preston St Paul
Clergy
Vicar(s)Post Vacant
Curate(s)Rev Ruth Beckett

Christ Church is a Church of England, Evangelical parish church in Paignton, Devon, England.[1] Designed by Walter G. Couldrey and Edward Gabriel, the church was built in 1887–88 and has been a Grade II listed building since 1993.[2]

History

Christ Church was built at a time when Paignton was undergoing rapid growth and expansion. Efforts towards the construction of a new church had been made from around 1863, but these early efforts did not come to fruition and neither did a proposal to begin conducting services at Paignton's Temperance Hall.[3] In April 1886, a public meeting was held at the hall to determine whether a separate ecclesiastical district should be formed in the northern region of Paignton parish and a new church erected to serve it.[3] Mrs. Disney Robinson of Torquay had already promised £1,500 towards the endowment.[4] The result of the meeting was to begin raising subscriptions and a building committee was established.[4] The Ecclesiastical Commissioners agreed to match Mrs. Robinson's sum for the endowment and provide a plot of land large enough for the proposed church, along with a vicarage and school.[5]

The new church was designed by Mr. Walter G. Couldrey of Paington and Mr. Edward Gabriel of London as joint architects. Messrs. Christopher and Robert Elliott Drew of Paignton were the builders, with Messrs. Delafield and Pollard of Paignton handling the freestone work and Mr. W. Leaman as clerk of the works.[5] Prior to its construction, an iron church was erected on the site in August 1886 to provide temporary church accommodation.[4]

The foundation stone of Christ Church was laid by the Bishop of Exeter, the Right Rev. Edward Bickersteth, on 26 April 1887. It had been intended for Mrs. Disney Robinson to lay the stone, but heavy rain prevented her attendance.[4] The church was completed a month ahead of schedule and was consecrated by the Bishop of Exeter on 1 June 1888.[6] With its completion, the ecclesiastical parish of Christ Church was formed.[7]

The original iron church was then used as a Sunday school. It was intended to replace it with permanent premises, but the scheme did not come to fruition.[5] The vicarage attached to Christ Church was built in 1894.[8] In 2002, Christ Church and St Paul's were united as a joint benefice. The original iron church remains in use as the church hall.[9]

Present day

Christ Church did belong to the conservative evangelical tradition of the Church of England.[10] On 6 April 2016, the parish passed a resolution to reject the leadership/ordination of women.[10] As of August 2022, it is listed as an evangelical resolution parish by the Bishop of Maidstone, the bishop who provides alternative episcopal oversight for conservative evangelical parishes.[11] The resolution to reject women's ministry was over turned at the Parochial Church Council meeting on the 11 July 2022.[12]

Architecture

Christ Church is built of local red sandstone, with freestone dressings, in the Early English style. Designed to accommodate 600 persons, it is made up of a nave with clerestory, chancel, narrow north and south aisles, north and south transepts, organ chamber and vestry.[2] A tower and spire was intended for the church, but lack of funds meant this was never built. Original fittings include the pulpit of Caen stone with Devonshire marble pillars, and the lectern, made up of a brass eagle perched on a slab of rough Dartmoor granite and a polished slab base.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Christ Church Parish Church". A Church Near You. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  2. 1 2 Historic England. "PARISH CHURCH OF CHRIST CHURCH, Torbay (1195211)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  3. 1 2 "A new ecclesiastical district for Paignton". The Western Times. 9 April 1886. Retrieved 1 November 2019 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "A new church for Paignton". The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. 27 April 1887. Retrieved 1 November 2019 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "The new church at Paignton". The Western Morning News. 28 May 1888. Retrieved 1 November 2019 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ↑ "Consecration of Christ Church, Paignton". The Western Times. 2 June 1888. Retrieved 1 November 2019 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ↑ "Contentdm". Specialcollections.le.ac.uk. 11 February 2008. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  8. ↑ "The Daily Gazette". The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. 26 April 1894. Retrieved 1 November 2019 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. ↑ "Profile of the Mission Community of Christ Church, Paignton and St Paul's Preston, in the Diocese of Exeter" (PDF). exeter.anglican.org. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  10. 1 2 "Profile of the mission community of Christ Church Paigton and St Paul Preston". Christ Church Paignton. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  11. ↑ "Bishop of Maidstone's Newsletter: Summer 202" (PDF). Bishop of Maidstone. August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  12. ↑ Resolutions Concerning Women in Ministry. The PCC rescinds all previous resolutions regarding the ministry of women as they apply to Christ Church, Paignton and will warmly accept women presiding at Communion and in the future welcome the ministry of either male of female incumbents. Agreed, Proposed (GFH), Seconded (AB) All in favour
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