Hartlepool (West) Christ Church

Parish Notes Durham

Hartlepool (West) Christ Church

[Population 1911: 7,638 incl. 416 persons enumerated on board vessels]

Church

CHRIST CHURCH, West Hartlepool, is an elegant structure, in the Early English style, consisting of a square western tower, nave and aisles, transepts, and chancel. It is situated on a piece of ground, of about an acre in extent, enclosed by a dwarf wall and iron palisading; and, as interments are not allowed in the churchyard, it is laid out with walks and green sward. The ground, as well as the stone and lime for the building were given by the West Hartlepool Dock and Railway Company. The church is built from designs furnished bu Mr. E.B. Lamb, architect, of London; Mr. W.J.C. West, being clerk of the works. Tenders were advertised for its erection in March 1852, and it was completed and consecrated by the Bishop of Durham on the 20th April 1854. The cost of erection was about £6,000. The tower, beneath which is the principal entrance to the church, is 100 feet high, with a stair turret in the south-east corner, and contains a peal of six bells, which cost £400. The tower is surmounted by a spire and vane, twenty-five feet high, which forms a conspicuous object from the sea. The interior length of the church is 125 feet, the width of the nave 28 feet, the length of the transept 89 feet, and its breadth 23 feet. At the west end of the nave is a rich stone gallery, containing a large and powerful organ, built by James Langley, Esq., af Greatham: and at the south-west angle is the font, which is elevated on three steps and has a carved oak cover. The interior of the roof is open, and stained in imitation of old oak. At the intersection of the roofs of the nave and transepts, there is an octagonal lantern, containing eight quatrefoil windows for ventilation, and above which is a spire and ornamental iron finial. The south transept, which is appropriated to sailors, is called the Mariners' Porch, and bears on its gable a sculptured anchor. In each of the transept gables there is a circular window in twelve compartments; the centre of the northern one being occupied by a sitting figure of the Redeemer. The chancel is approached by three steps: and three comparments of the east window are filled with stained glass, containing representations of Our Saviour, St. Peter and St. Paul. The other windows are filled with plain and coloured glass in geometrical forms, with painted borders. The sittings, which are all open, are of deal, stained in imitation of oak, and contain accomodation for 1,000 persons. 700 sittings are free and unappropriatated. The doors, pulpit, and reading desk, communion table, &c., are of oak; the church is lighted with gas; and on Sunday evenings, with its large congregation, presents a most encouraging appearance. There is a spacious vestry, with an entrance porch, at the north-east corner of the church. As a preliminary, the sum of £1,000 was invested, being a foundation for an endowment, in the hands of the following trustees:- Ralph Ward Jackson, Esq., Charles Swainson, Esq., Rev. G.T. Fox, Rev. H.W. M'Grath, and the Rev. John Lawson. The interest from this sum, with the pew rents and surplice fees, constitute at present the only source of income. Application was made to the ecclesiastical commissioners for a permanent grant, but the application was not complied with. Patron, the Vicar of Stranton; incumbent, Rev. John H. Burgess, B.A.

A Parsonage House is now in process of erection on ground given by the Dock Company, on the south-east of the church. The cost is estimated at £1,200. [Whellan's History, Topography and Directory of Durham (and Newcastle) (1856), page 534.]

Hartlepool (West) Christ Church

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