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Christ Church was built to fulfil a need in the town for a parish church. Work stared on the Church in 1858. Mr John Norton, an eminent London Architect, was commissioned to draw up the plans and Christ Church is a fitting memorial to his wonderful skill.
The Lord Bishop of Llandaf, Alfred Ollivant, dedicated Christ Church on 8th December 1861. He was so struck by its beauty, that he declared it to be the “Cathedral of the Hills”.
Christ Church is Gothic in style, that is, in general its doorways and windows have pointed arches. As the windows are sharply pointed, it also belongs to the sub style of Early English. When built, the church contained 83 open pews, an organ and choir stalls. It would accommodate 650 people.
Within the Church, on the north and south of the central aisle, are eight circular and two semi-circular columns. These were made from carefully selected blocks of limestone, taken from the Trefil Quarries. They were turned by lathe and polished, after being burnt in pitch. Each column contains six separated blocks representing sectional and proportionally, the different beds from which the stone was taken. The stone from the church itself was quarried at Risca and brought by rail. It was brought by means of the light railway and deposited at the sidings where Eureka Place has sprung.
When the Church was opened, the tower was not complete. This took a further eighteen months and held only two bells. The current peal of 8 was added in 1937 to mark the opening of the steelworks. The Church clock was installed in 1919 as a memorial to Sir Frederick Mills’ young daughter, who died suddenly.
The Lord Bishop of Llandaf, Alfred Ollivant, dedicated Christ Church on 8th December 1861. He was so struck by its beauty, that he declared it to be the “Cathedral of the Hills”.
Christ Church is Gothic in style, that is, in general its doorways and windows have pointed arches. As the windows are sharply pointed, it also belongs to the sub style of Early English. When built, the church contained 83 open pews, an organ and choir stalls. It would accommodate 650 people.
Within the Church, on the north and south of the central aisle, are eight circular and two semi-circular columns. These were made from carefully selected blocks of limestone, taken from the Trefil Quarries. They were turned by lathe and polished, after being burnt in pitch. Each column contains six separated blocks representing sectional and proportionally, the different beds from which the stone was taken. The stone from the church itself was quarried at Risca and brought by rail. It was brought by means of the light railway and deposited at the sidings where Eureka Place has sprung.
When the Church was opened, the tower was not complete. This took a further eighteen months and held only two bells. The current peal of 8 was added in 1937 to mark the opening of the steelworks. The Church clock was installed in 1919 as a memorial to Sir Frederick Mills’ young daughter, who died suddenly.
The high altar was erected in 1914 with the old alter being moved to the south aisle, where the Lady Chapel was. This was dedicated on 8th September 1929. The rood screen with beam and crucifix was started on 26th August 1914. The crucifix figures were omitted as a result of the Bishop’s objection.
Through the years, many other changes and decorations have occurred. The Lady Chapel was moved to accommodate the Worship band and a new electronic organ installed to ensure the church is able to meet the needs of the people in the Twenty First Century.
Information from “A History of the Parish Church (Christ Church) of Ebbw Vale” by Mr Edward Boore, FRGS and Mr Fred Ball, MA published in 1964)
Through the years, many other changes and decorations have occurred. The Lady Chapel was moved to accommodate the Worship band and a new electronic organ installed to ensure the church is able to meet the needs of the people in the Twenty First Century.
Information from “A History of the Parish Church (Christ Church) of Ebbw Vale” by Mr Edward Boore, FRGS and Mr Fred Ball, MA published in 1964)