Nominal: 783 Hz Weight: 1088 lbs Diameter: 39" Bell 1 of 6
Founded by John Taylor & Son 1855
Dove Bell ID: 3130 Tower ID: 11470 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
West Hartlepool: Christ Church
Overview
Grid reference: NZ 510 325
The main building is a jumble of limestone gables, red-tiled roofs and with lancet windows. There is no clerestorey and as a result the church appears to be rather squat. The transept roofs are slightly lower than that of the nave, and those of the aisles or chapels slightly lower again.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West tower, nave and apsidal chancel with wide transepts. The nave is without aisles for the first five bays, but they appear for one large bay to the west of the transepts, and continue eastwards as organ chamber and south east chapel.
Exterior Description
The main building is a jumble of limestone gables, red-tiled roofs and with lancet windows. There is no clerestorey and as a result the church appears to be rather squat. The transept roofs are slightly lower than that of the nave, and those of the aisles or chapels slightly lower again. In the gable of both transepts is a large rose window over trefoil-headed lancets. The south porch is in an unusual place, tucked in the angle between the south transept and the south-east chapel. Over the crossing is a wooden cupola and spirelet of most unecclesiological design, reminiscient of Victorian watering-place hotels. More extraordinary still is the west tower; this is at least twice the height of the rest of the church, and in a style which defies historical precedent. It is unbuttressed, but rises with two set-backs, and ends in an oversized parapet above witch there is a second pierced, parapet; the stair turret rises till higher and has an obelisk roof.
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is wide and low, and the lack of height is exaggerated by the low springing of the heavy timber braces of the roof. In the west wall of the nave is a five-light lancet window which gives onto the interior of the tower. Immediately beneath this window is a stone gallery supported on three very shallow pointed arches. East of this extend five narrow bays of the nave, and one wider, arched, bay. The crossing is very wide and the timber roof trusses that span this space spring from corbels in the capitals of the four massive corner-piers, which are rectangular in section, with ornamental chamfers. The choir is of the same width as the nave and roofed in the same fashion. The chancel arch creates a considerable division between the choir and the Sanctuary; the arch itself rests on large corbels in the wall, and is ornamented with nail-head decoration. The chancel is apsidal and is lit by lancet-windows whose cills are only a foot above the floor. In the narrow east wall is a group of three lancet windows with a trefoil floating above each, all set in a pointed arch surround.
Fixtures and fittings
Pulpit
In modern gothic-style woodwork with linenfold carving.
Altar
In modern gothic-style woodwork with linenfold carving.
Font (object)
Of stone.
Organ (object)
Three-manual organ by Nelson.
Organ (component)
The timber case has Perpendicular ornament.
Pew (object)
Pine
Stall
Pine.
Lectern
Brass eagle.
Bells
Nominal: 1318 Hz Weight: 664 lbs Diameter: 29.5" Bell 2 of 6
Founded by John Taylor & Son 1853
Dove Bell ID: 23817 Tower ID: 11470 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1179 Hz Weight: 712 lbs Diameter: 31.63" Bell 3 of 6
Founded by John Taylor & Son 1855
Dove Bell ID: 23818 Tower ID: 11470 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1042 Hz Weight: 772 lbs Diameter: 33.38" Bell 4 of 6
Founded by John Taylor & Son 1855
Dove Bell ID: 23819 Tower ID: 11470 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 984 Hz Weight: 832 lbs Diameter: 34.5" Bell 5 of 6
Founded by John Taylor & Son 1855
Dove Bell ID: 23820 Tower ID: 11470 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 878 Hz Weight: 914 lbs Diameter: 36.63" Bell 6 of 6
Founded by John Taylor & Son 1855
Dove Bell ID: 23821 Tower ID: 11470 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: NZ 510 325
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Submit a change
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