Christ Church, Birkenhead

Christ Church was built between 1844 and 1849, and was designed by William Jearrad. It cost £9,000 to build (equivalent to £}} in ), and was opened for worship on 25 February 1849, although it was not consecrated until 3 March 1854, this ceremony being conducted by the Rt Revd John Graham, bishop of Chester. The church provided seating for 1,209 people. Alterations were made at the east end between 1878 and 1880. Using the slope of the ground, two staircases were built to provide extra exits, and two rooms were added at the lower level. In 1881 the organ and the choir were moved from the west gallery, the organ to a new organ chamber in the south transept, and the choir to the chancel. The…

Inside the church there are galleries at the west end and in the transepts. Many of the items of church furniture has been given as memorials. These include the font, the lectern, and the pulpit. The pulpit was given in memory of two soldiers killed in the First World War, and includes in its carvings two soldiers kneeling at the foot of the cross in a Crucifixion scene. Much of the stained glass, including that in the east window and on the north side of the church, was destroyed by a landmine during the Second World War. The current stained glass in the east window dates from 1951. The stained glass in the windows on the south side of the church was given as memorials; one of them depicts…