Building record 2604/1 - Christ Church

The first railway-built church in Crewe (1), designed by J Cunningham and built in 1843, by the Grand Junction Railway. the aisles were added in 1864, the tower in 1877, the chancel in 1898-1901 and the NE chapel in 1906. The tower was designed by J. W. Stansby, a LNWR engineer (2). The yellow sandstone square tower is linked to the brick walls of the church the church had its roof removed in 1978. The tower is coursed rock faced rubble masonry, with reducing angle buttresses. Above the entrance is a large window with geometrical tracery. Clock dials are set in flat diaper panels of square carved masonry blocks, on all four sides of the tower. Treble louvred lancets at the bell stage, divided by coupled shafts with rings. Octagonal pinnacles with shafts and lancet sinkings form the angles and flank the stepped and crocketted gabled parapet (3). Originally finished with an iron crown made in the railway workshops (1 & 2). The tower is a Grade II Listed Building (3).

<1> Curran H M Gilsenan B & J Owen, 1984, Change at Crewe, /11 & 51 (Graphic Material). SCH554.

<2> Pevsner N & Hubbard E, 1971, The Buildings of England: Cheshire, /187 (Book). SCH3078.

<3> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, C/26 (Report). SCH1934.

<4> Cheshire County Council, 1974, County Treasures Record, 7/IA.130 1 1984 (Y) (Index). SCH1000.