Nominal: 647 Hz Weight: 2240 lbs Diameter: 48" Bell 1 of 11
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1912
Dove Bell ID: 1897 Tower ID: 13114 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Crewe: Christ Church
Overview
Grid reference: SJ 706 556
The fine stone Gothic church tower still has considerable townscape value, but is separated from the brick chancel which now forms the church by the space formerly occupied by the aisled nave, now laid out as a pleasant garden within remnants of the walls. The original church was built in 1843-5 by the Grand Junction Railway Company, presumably by their chief architect John Cunningham. Aisles added 1864, tower built 1877 by J W Stansby (the Railways Engineer), chancel added 1898, galleries removed and possibly aisles refenestrated in 1901, chapel 1906, from which later date many of the extant furnishings and fittings seem to date. It is formed of a 4-bay nave with aisles, only the north wall and a pier survive, though the south wall is marked by a low brick wall containing the garden. 2-bay chancel with north chapel and south vestry. Now detached west tower with long baptistery coming off south side.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
4-bay nave with aisles; only the north wall and a pier survive, though the south wall is marked by a low brick wall containing the garden. 2-bay chancel with north chapel and south vestry. Now detached west tower with long baptistery coming off south side.
Dimensions:
Chancel 8m square (25ft).
Footprint of Church buildings: 592 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Crewe is a Victorian town founded and best known for its railway depot and junction, which arrived in the 1840s. The town grew quickly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to the railway, with Bentley and Rolls Royce also locating here.
The original church was built in 1843-5 by the Grand Junction Railway Company, presumably by their chief architect John Cunningham. Aisles added 1864, tower built 1877 by J W Stansby (the Railways Engineer), chancel added 1898, galleries removed and possibly aisles refenestrated in 1901, chapel 1906, from which later date many of the furnishings and fittings. The churchyard was closed for burial in 1912.
Most of the memorials in the churchyard were removed and broken up in the 1960s. The hall was built at this time. The nave was demolished in 1975 and the area turned into a garden, whereby the north wall with its traceried window remains. The chancel, north chapel and south vestry were re-ordered and reopened in 1978.
Exterior Description
4-stage west tower of coursed rock-faced rubble masonry with reducing angle buttresses. The chevron pattern boarded west door is in a pointed opening, flanked by single shafts, and surmounted by a hoodmould with headstops. The baptistery which comes off the south side of the tower has an arcade of lancet windows and is a good building in its own right.
Above the doorway there is a large 4-light pointed window with Geometrical tracery. Pointed windows in north and south faces are at two levels, in partly blind arcades with shafts, lancets at the lower level and trefoil headed above. Clock dials to four sides, set in flat panels of square carved masonry blocks. Date 1877. There are treble louvred lancets at belfry stage divided by coupled shafts with rings. Octagonal pinnacles at the angles, stepped and crocketted gabled parapet.
The nave garden has several relocated monuments including a war memorial. One arcade pier has been left standing. The north wall is smothered in ivy, one can just make out flowing Geometrical tracery. The old chancel arch has been bricked up, a pent glass roof comes off the north chapel admitting natural light. The chancel and chapel are gabled with clearstorey, of polished red brick with blackened stone dressings and bands. There is a 5-light east window and 4-light west window, otherwise 2-light windows, all Perpendicular in style, pointed to the chancel, square to the vestry, round-headed to the north chapel.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
20th Century
A large and interesting collection by some by Frampton, memorial west window, and Sst Dorcas and Ruth in Lady Chapel.
Wall
19th century north wall is all the survives of the nave
Wall
20th century Small brick wall denoting where the south wall of the nave was
Chancel
19th century 2-bay chancel
Chapel (component)
20th century 1906 addition to the north end
Vestry
19th century south
Tower (monument)
19th century detached west tower
Baptistery
19th century coming off of the tower
Building Materials
Sandstone
19th century yellow sandstone tower
Brick
19th century red brick walls to rest
Stone
19th century tracery and banding
Interior
Interior Description
The interior has been re-ordered with the altar against the south wall, with the organ within a tall arch adjacent which leads to the lean-to organ chamber. Wooden panelling round the walls. There are benches against the east and west walls of the chancel and in the south (Lady) chapel. These are the ornately carved early 20th century choir stalls, good, Arts-and-Crafts inspired. Encaustic tile floors (now under carpet) and good open timber roofs. A double arch with central pier and round-headed arches gives access to the Lady chapel, which now houses more pews facing south and the font.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century oak chest with intricate carved detail
Reredos
20th century gilded carved oak triptych against the south wall, good quality. Stone carved reredos under east window, very good.
Lectern
20th century reading desk integral to choir stalls
Font (component)
20th century octagonal stone font, plain with conical wooden cover
Plaque (component)
20th century various brass and wooden plaques, one to a Crewe man who died on the Titanic
Organ (component)
19th century 3-manual organ built 1877 by Hill, extended by Wadsworth, overhauled 1949 by Whiteley.
Rail
20th century oak, intricately carved with iron standards
Bells
Nominal: 1619 Hz Weight: 523 lbs Diameter: 25" Bell 2 of 11
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1912
Dove Bell ID: 17522 Tower ID: 13114 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1456 Hz Weight: 504 lbs Diameter: 26" Bell 3 of 11
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1912
Dove Bell ID: 17523 Tower ID: 13114 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1293 Hz Weight: 540 lbs Diameter: 27.5" Bell 4 of 11
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1912
Dove Bell ID: 17524 Tower ID: 13114 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1213 Hz Weight: 498 lbs Diameter: 28" Bell 5 of 11
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1912
Dove Bell ID: 17525 Tower ID: 13114 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1078 Hz Weight: 546 lbs Diameter: 29.5" Bell 6 of 11
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1912
Dove Bell ID: 17526 Tower ID: 13114 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 969 Hz Weight: 658 lbs Diameter: 32" Bell 7 of 11
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1912
Dove Bell ID: 17527 Tower ID: 13114 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 863 Hz Weight: 931 lbs Diameter: 36" Bell 8 of 11
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1912
Dove Bell ID: 17528 Tower ID: 13114 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 808 Hz Weight: 1079 lbs Diameter: 38" Bell 9 of 11
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1912
Dove Bell ID: 17529 Tower ID: 13114 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 728 Hz Weight: 1523 lbs Diameter: 42.5" Bell 10 of 11
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1912
Dove Bell ID: 17530 Tower ID: 13114 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Bell 11 of 11
Dove Bell ID: 17531 Tower ID: 13114 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers dating from 1846 at Cheshire Record Office
Churchyard
Grid reference: SJ 706 556
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.
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 | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
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
Sources
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