Christ Church, Swindon, took over from the parish church of
Holy Rood when it opened in 1851. The land was given by Ambrose Goddard (Lord of the Manor of
High Swindon) and was adjacent to the Goddard family home and estate. Indeed the church has many memorials to the Goddard family. The former Goddard family
home no longer exists and the estate is now a park - known locally as
The Lawns. The hill top site means that the spire of Christ Church can be
seen for miles around.
Christ Church is a Grade II listed building - for details see the
British Listed Buildings website.
The building is deceptively large inside and appears to be in constant use, and is kept open much of the day time. Whilst open there is always someone in attendance
for security reasons - a sad reflection of our times perhaps - but also good to see how many volunteers are proud to help the church remain open to everyone.
On the days we visited back in June 2000, one particular person - Peter - was very friendly and helpful, offering many snipets of information and amusing stories.
One of his chores is to clean the building - quite a challenge! I mentioned how clean everything was - he told me he took pride in his work and that he almost considered
the building to be his! How lucky Christ Church is to have his dedication.
A few years ago headlines of "Christ Church is in crisis - that is the clear message facing Swindon" and "Christ Church is falling down" was the stark
reality facing the church. These two quotes are from a leaflet about the 'Skyline Appeal' whose aim was to raise over 1.5 million pounds to restore and
preserve the church. The Friends of Christ Church launched the appeal and would be glad of your support. Cheques made payable to 'The Skyline Appeal'
can be sent to Friends of Christ Church, Skyline Appeal, Parish Office, 36 Cricklade Street, Swindon, Wiltshire SN1 3HB. More details about donating money
can be found at the Christ Church website - see below.
Christ Church has its own website which is packed with information. Apart from information about church services and the team, there are
photographs, all sorts of information and even a plan of the graveyard. There is a searchable index of burials, which although as yet to be
completed, gives the plot number of a grave and whom purchased the plot. Here are a few links to what we think might be most useful to users of this site:
Christ Church's own website:
Home (main) Page
Burial Ground Search
Plan of the Graveyard
Friends of Christ Church
Contact page
