Ealing REWIND: A look back at Christ the Saviour Church

By Dimitris Kouimtsidis 26th Aug 2021

In 1951, Christ Church and St Saviour's were unified and named Christ the Saviour. Image Credit: Dimitris Kouimtsidis
In 1951, Christ Church and St Saviour's were unified and named Christ the Saviour. Image Credit: Dimitris Kouimtsidis

WELCOME to the fifth feature of our history series called, 'Ealing REWIND'.

As part of 'Ealing REWIND', we will look back at famous buildings and locations throughout Ealing, talk about their history and how they've evolved over the years.

Today we will look at one of Ealing's most famous churches, Christ the Saviour.

The origins of Christ the Saviour Church in Ealing Broadway date all the way back to the 12th century.

The church was largely rebuilt in the 15th century and clad in brick in 1772, before being consecrated by the Bishop of London in 1852 and given the dedication of Christ Church, Ealing.

The new parish of Christ Church was carved out of the ancient parish of St Mary's.

Christ Church was then restored in 1855 and then again in 1871 by Ewan Christian, before being restored again in 1889 by W. Gilbert Scott.

In 1902 the church was considerably embellished by G. F. Bodley, with a new sacristy being built and attached to the church by a 'cloister' passage.

Additionally, the organ was rebuilt under the west tower arch, while the rood screen, the chapel screens, and the statues of St James, St Paul and King David were all added.

The murals and the decoration of the roof were also done.

In 1916, Christ Church's daughter church, called St Saviour's - which had been built in 1885 - became the parish church of a new parish, carved outside of Christ Church.

Fr Buckell, who had been a curate in the parish since his ordination in 1897, became the first vicar.

During the Second World War however, St Saviour's was destroyed by incendiary bombs.

In November 1940, a temporary church called Little St Saviour's was set up in the parish hall.

The blast of a bomb that exploded on the other side of the Broadway blew out most of the glass of Christ Church and damaged the roof.

The windows were restored with clear glass, though a few fragments of the old remain.

In 1951, it was decided not to rebuild St Saviour's and to unite the two parishes (Christ Church and St Saviour's) under the new dedication of Christ the Saviour.

Christ Church became Christ the Saviour, and the clergy house became the parsonage house.

Christ the King became the church's feast of title which is still celebrated today.

     

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