Christ Church -the present building Christ Church -destroyed in 1941 Christ Church -etching by M. Wickison HISTORY: The first church on this site was built in 1670, paid for by a legacy from John Marshall, a local businessman, on land given by William Angell, the Lord of the Manor of Paris Gardens. The church, serving the rapidly increasing population on the south side of the Thames, sank into the Lambeth Marsh and had to be demolished. The second church, constructed on piles, survived for 200 years until bombed in 1941. The current building was erected in 1959, paid for and owned by the Marshall's Charity. The Trustees generously support the maintenance of the building and the cost of some of the ministry based here. ARCHITECTURE: Built: 1957 - 59 Architect: R Paxton-Watson & Barry Costin The church was consecrated on the 17th December 1959. The structure consists of a barrel vaulted copper-clad roof supported on a concrete structure, off cavity walls, with intermediate concrete columns, off a concrete pile and raft structural foundations. The windows are single-glazed and of the metal casement variety with leaded lights. The doors, predominantly are of hardwood, and varnished. There is both stone and brick detailing around parapets, windows, the tower and brick-chamfered corbelling around the perimeter. The building was designed so that it could be a multi-purpose building with the chancel and nave backing directly onto a church hall. Between the two, sliding doors were incorporated. DESCRIPTION OF FEATURES: Welcome to The Parish Church of Christ Church, Southwark, a centre of worship, Industrial Mission and community involvement in Bankside. We invite you to look at the features of the building. The Dedication Stone in the front porch records the opening of the building as an Industrial Mission Centre in 1960 by The Duke of Edinburgh. The Duke joined us for our 40th anniversary celebrations in February 2000. The Stained Glass Windows at ground floor level were installed in 1984 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the opening of the building, illustrating local companies and organisations. In the Nave of the church, the high windows, dating from 1959, show Southwark working life, old and new. A booklet is available if you would like more details. The Altar Frontal was made by local unemployed people in 1984. It shows the world, factories and offices and the ship symbol of the World Council of Churches - our mission is to all the world. The Mural behind the altar is of Wall Street in New York, originally made for a National Theatre production. "The cross in the city" is a powerful symbol of the mission of the church in business and economic life. The Iron Chest dates, we are told, from the 17th century. It used to contain old church records and registers of baptisms, weddings and fimerals, but these are now kept at the London Metropolitan Archive The Rectors List on the board in the Ambulatory of the church (near the chest) records the names of the ministers of the parish since its foundation. The Wapping Memorial Sculpture in the Hall records the struggle of print workers against the unilateral decision by Rupert Murdoch to move his newspapers to Docklands. The poem was written at the time by the last Rector, Peter Challen. The Hall is still used by Trade Union branches, companies, community groups and local residents for meetings, training sessions and social events. For details see Facilities. The Churchyard is owned by Southwark Council and is a public garden incorporating a fountain erected in 1900 to mark the opening of the first garden. The 1941 "cross of fire", the stone plaques by the pub, and the metal plates along the Colombo Street wall indicating the rows of old graves, all part of the changes that have taken place in the area. We are working with the Council, our neighbours and local residents to finish the refurbishment of the Garden. Can you or your company please make a donation to help pay for the completion of the work?