Christ Church, Llangrove

Christ Church was built between 1854 and 1856 at a cost of £1,500 totally paid by Mrs Catherine Marriott, the lady of the manor of Goodrich who lived at Sellarsbrook House, Ganarew. Mrs Marriott was an extremely generous local benefactor and in addition to this church, she also paid for the building of the school next door.

The Church and graveyard were consecrated on 15th May 1856.

The church is in the Early English style and consists of an aisle, nave, chancel, vestry and a bell turret. The walls are of red sandstone, with Bath stone dressings.

The church was designed by George Frederick Bodley (1827-1907) who went on to become one of the country’s leading architects, achieving the status of Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects and winning the Royal Gold medal for architecture in 1899. Christ Church was one of his first two commissions and was designed by him in his late twenties. He became an international figure in the world of architecture and is best known for his working with Scott on the design and building of the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool and the Episcopal cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Washington, USA. Christ Church is listed as a building of special architectural or historic interest.

George Bodley was a friend of William Morris, one of the chief exponents of the Arts and Crafts movement, and himself was a known strong supporter of this style. The paintings behind the altar and the unusual plaster cast on the wall just inside the front door bear witness to the influences of Arts and Crafts. The plaster cast was modified several years ago and is now a memorial to the persons of the village who gave their lives in the First World War.

Another item of interest is the organ which was manufactured by Arthur Caldwell of St Helen’s when the company was known to have been in existence between approx. 1895 and 1924. It was purchased second hand in 1970 at a cost of £525 and had been previously installed in a Methodist Church in Liverpool.