Christ
Church was built in 1891-99 to replace a much humbler building by something more in keeping with the increasing
prosperity of this rapidly growing suburb of Liverpool.
Its majestic tower of pink sandstone became a landmark for sailors, and still dominates the
neighbourhood. The church was disused for many years, and World War II bombing and later vandalism wreaked
some damage, but the architecture is hauntingly romantic.
It is a huge and impressive building with wonderful stained glass and a strong sense of Victorian
confidence and civic pride.
The fittings and furnishings have gone but the interior remains striking. Soaring
timber vaults form the roofs and graceful arches lead your eye to the great east
window. Here, in vibrantly colourful stained glass, are depicted Christ with angels, saints and Old Testament figures. The west window is similarly gorgeous, and depicts the twelve Apostles. The
glass is by Shrigley and Hunt, among the leading manufacturers of their period. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrigley_and_Hunt
The present church was built in 1891-99 to designs by Austin & Paley of
Preston and replaced the earlier church built in 1840. The firm was the leading architectural practice in the north-west
and, at the time the church was built, it was at the height of its prolific and creative output, specialising in fine
churches. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_works_by_Paley,_Austin_and_Paley
By about 1980 the congregation had dwindled
and in 1982 the church was declared redundant and fell into disrepair. In 1993 the church was
in a very sorry state so a demolition scheme was published. As a result of objections a non-statutory public
inquiry was held and resulted in the church being vested in the Churches Conservation Trust.
With the help of grants the roofs were repaired, dry rot
was dealt with and later the windows and the interior were repaired.
The church is built in Bootle sandstone with
roofs of Westmorland slate. The style is typical of the architects' town churches of the period, being a freely-treated
Perpendicular but with innovative elements including details that can almost be described as Art Nouveau.