Timeline

1839-1841

The people on the north sideof Bradford-on-Avon wanted a church at the top of the hill.

1843

This was not on the original plan and is now the highest point in the town.

The Mount Pleasant Centre was the original Christ Church school building.

1857

Made by William Warrington, this has the most vivid colours of all the windows, and is the oldest remaining stained glass window in the church.

The total cost of the clock was £175 which was raised by subscriptions.

1876-1878

This was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, whose other works include St.Pancras Station. What can you see in the chancel?

1881

This was carried out by Burlison & Grylls under the direction of J.O. Scott (son of Sir George Scott) and much of this decoration still remains.

1917

Mrs Moulton offered a lady chapel in memory of her son, Charles, who died in World War I.

1923

These were presented by General and Mrs. Palmer. To celebrate the centenary the bell ringers are planning to ring a peal.

1926

Gower and Stephens of Trowbridge repainted part of the Nave walls with a red/black border and a light/dark blue border. Can you spot this in the building?

1952

Putting it in the top 9% of listed buildings in the country. Nave and west tower by G.P. Manners, 1839-41. New east end by Sir George Gilbert Scott, 1877-8, with internal fittings after 1878 by his son J.O. Scott. South-east chapel by C.E. Ponting, 1919.  Principle features include the ‘Exceptionally complete Late Victorian and Edwardian fittings that are virtually unchanged since 1926’ with Burlison & Grylls wall paintings 1881 & 1884, ‘fine oak pulpit’ with ‘crisp and opulent carving by Harry Hems’, oak eagle lectern by Sir C G Gilbert Scott and the stained-glass windows.  Also highlighted are the gothic design former Christ Church School buildings next door and the (pollarded) lime trees lining the churchyard paths (planted 1841).

1988-2000

Dorna Daw co-ordinated a group of 44 embroiderers to make 222 bespoke kneelers for the church. These are still in use today.

2004-2005

The wall paintings in the chancel, choir and on the east wall of the nave were cleaned and conserved during the winter of 2004/5.  Dry surface cleaning methods were used, areas of paint flaking and detached plaster were consolidated, and passages of lost paint were retouched and reconstructed.  As this was the first time these paintings had been treated, the scale of intervention was kept to an appropriate minimum.  During the work traces of earlier painted texts were found between the choir and chancel.  These predate the Sir George Gilbert Scott extension of 1878.

2008

The interior of the church was used for a scene in the film, Creation, starring Paul Bettany as Charles Darwin.

2022 - 2025

Following community consultation that began in 2019, Discover Christ Church! was born.

2023

Smith of Derby restored and restarted our landmark spire clock, Wiltshire Steeplejacks repaired the stonework, and Wiltshire Stonemasons re-carved two intricate pinnacle stones. Made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Bradford on Avon Preservation Trust and community donations.

2023-24

200+ primary school students plus staff and volunteers planted 1320 native bulbs, 10 woodland edge trees, 9 native type roses and the Ark planted wildflower see.s Made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Bradford on Avon Town Council.

2024

AJ Electrics of Castle Vale replaced the broken and inflexible lighting with an adjustable and energy efficient lighting system that highlights Christ Church’s beautiful and important heritage features. Made possible by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

2025

January – April:  Conservation and cleaning of the nave walls including the three magnificent archangels high up on the west wall, and cleaning the stonework surrounding the stained glass windows.  A vertical band of the 1970’s paint on the nave wall will be removed to reveal a sample of the previous schemes of painting that adorned the nave walls.  Although there will be scaffolding up in the nave while this work is going on, all will be welcome to come in to see how the conservation is progressing.