Christ Church Port Sunlight United Reformed Church Home Page
Click here for larger picture. The Church Building
 

This beautiful church that opened for worship on 8th June 1904 was the gift to the village of Port Sunlight by the founder of Port Sunlight William Hesketh Lever, later the 1st Viscount Leverhulme, with the wish that it would be “a church in whose worship all Christian people, except those of extreme views, could share”. Originally designated as a Congregational Church, Christ Church is now part of The United Reformed Church.

The architects were Messrs. William and Segar Owen, of Warrington, who were also responsible for many of the domestic and public buildings in the village. The actual construction work was carried out by Lever Brothers own building department.

The church, in English Gothic Style, is built from the red sandstone of Helsby, Cheshire, with a stone slated roof. Although it is a massive structure, the interior aspect is one of open and lofty spaciousness, the red sandstone walls contrasting with the black and white pattern of the Italian marble pavement, and the rich hue of English oak in the pews, screens, and reredos. The fine roof timbers are of unstained and unvarnished Canadian pitch pine.

The square tower houses a peal of eight bells and upon the tenor, a bell weighing 14˝ cwt (seen left), are inscribed the words “For the honour of God and the use of this village these bells were raised by William Hesketh Lever A.D. 1904”. Christ Church is now the only United Reformed Church in the country with a peal of eight bells.
The church can hold a congregation of up to 800 people; its length is 151 feet and the general width is 51 feet. The nave rises to a height of 44 feet and is lit by a clerestory of ten windows. These windows are carried on two arcades of seven spans, twelve of them 15 feet, two of them 26 feet at the meeting of the transepts with the nave. The transepts are each 25 feet wide by 21 feet long, constructed with open timber roofs, and with entrances that are used on particular occasions or as additional exits. The chancel is 48 feet long and 27 feet wide, and its roof, of barrel vault type, is timbered like the nave. In contrast to the massive roof timbers, the woodwork within the church itself, and particularly the organ frame, the pulpit, the lectern and the reredos, are elaborate examples of the finest wood carving craftsmanship. The delicate carving of the choir stalls was the work of craftsmen from the then Liverpool School for the Deaf and Dumb.

Click here for larger picture. As a Millennium project two new rooms were built in the side aisles to provide separate facilities for work amongst the children and young people of the church. Click here for larger picture.
The four manual organ, built by Messrs Henry Willis and Sons, of London, to the specification of the famous organist, Dr. Bridge, of Chester Cathedral, is the largest in Wirral. Click here for larger picture. Close to the pulpit will be seen the Book of Remembrance, resting in a glass casket. This book records the names of those whose ashes are returned to earth within the precincts of Christ Church.
 
Christ Church contains a wealth of stained glass - see The Windows section.

Outside is the tomb of the 1st Viscount Leverhulme and his wife, situated in a richly detailed narthex with vaulted roof.

Last updated 8 February 2004 Return to top