MOTHER AND CHILDREN OF A BYEGONE AGE
The tower of the second Christ Church (1730-1941) rises above fishermen's wooden huts that stood until after the Second World War. The mother and children represented local residential community and the unacknowledged domestic economy, in contrast to the largely stereotyped patterns of unchanging roles for men and women in the other 1959 windows. Some of their descendants still live in the flats of Nelson Square, depicted in the lower half. Others have spread to outer parts of London or beyond. Newcomers to the parish now are often from afar: some to put down roots, others to move on as trade, profession or redundancy determines.
The creation of aspects of community in an ever changing social mix is a skill our faith should help us to develop. Thus Christ Church and the John Marshall Hall accommodate many ways of meeting - in worship, in Tenants' Associations, in Union branches, in celebrations, in conferences and Quiet Days - to promote the community of rich diversity which is now possible, but only half-heartedly approached.
The symbols of this church building are a reminder to users that we should all regularly renew our contributions to the restoration of community; beginning where we are.
