Church of Christ
Christchurch, Cambridgeshire
A rural church in the heart of a village with churchyard.
The tower, spire and church are built of a pleasing mixture of stone, flint and brick, with much of it dating from the early 16th century but some elements still remaining from the mid 14th century. The flint flushwork of the battlemented clerestory is particularly handsome.
The chancel was built in 1872.
Most visitors come here for the angels. These are in the wonderful hammerbeam roof, and like much of the church, they date from the early 16th century. All of them have outstretched wings and they are in three tiers, with more in the apex of the roof. The lowest tier is on the corbels supporting the roof, then there are two tiers at the ends of the hammerbeams. There are yet more on the wallplate between the beams. Some of the angels carry symbols of the Passion, while others carry musical instruments. There are more than 100 of them and together they create a truly memorable and remarkable sight.
Key features of the church include an angel roof, ancient font and brasses, memorials, a beautifully carved pulpit, external flintwork, gargoyles, stained glass and a special memorial to Jim Hocking - the airman who gave his life saving March.