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News & Goings On
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1/3/2005
CHRIST CHURCH history
Christ Church Coseley  |
Consecrated on 27th August 1830, Christ Church was the first Anglican church in Coseley, though there were many nonconformist places of worship, the oldest being The Old Meeting House.
The architect of Christ Church was Thomas Lee Jnr. of Barnstaple, who was responsible for fine buildings such as Arlington Court in Devon. In 1833 a Sunday School was opened, to be followed by a day school in February 1834. Gas lighting replaced candles around 1860.
The person responsible for most improvements was the wealthy Reverend William Spencer, whose family owned a large steelworks in Newburn, Northumberland. He was vicar from 1883-1912 and during that time spent a considerable amount of his own money on the church. It is thanks to him that the church has a much admired chancel screen, given in memory of his parents, and a very beautiful Lady Chapel.
Among the many memorials in the church is one to a valiant son of Coseley, Private Thomas Barratt, of the South Staffordshire Regiment, who was awarded the Victoria Cross in the 1914-18 war. A photograph of the memorial and more about Thomas Barratt can be found on Ian Beach's excellent site 'The Ancient Manor of Sedgley' at www.sedgleymanor.com.
Over the years many alterations and repairs have been carried out on the fabric of the church and now further major work is essential. The roof above the Lady Chapel is in dire need of replacement. This work is going to cost a tremendous amount of money so in 2002 the church launched an appeal to raise funds for the work to be carried out.
For further information about the church click here, or for bell ringing details click here.
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