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The Area
The Team Rector is based at Christ Church. Christ Church area covers the estates of Blakenall Heath, Leamore and part of Little Bloxwich, with a combined population of over 11,500. Most of the housing is pre-war council housing estates, although there are some high rise flats in Leamore. Some of the housing is now privately owned. The area is well served by a number of small shops. At Blakenall Heath and within a couple of minutes of the Rectory there is a post office, two hair dressers, a fish and chip shop, a small supermarket, a newsagent, two butchers, two greengrocers, a video shop, a betting shop and various other small shops. Unemployment stands at 18.47% with a L.I.P. (Low Income Predictor ) score of 25.31. (Over 17 is defined as an Urban Priority Area). In Blakenall Heath itself there is a new Community Centre which has a rich variety of organisations and opportunity for developing links with local organisations. Bloxwich Leisure Centre lies within the parish. There are two nursing homes in which lay people take services. River‘s House is in the parish and a couple of residents come to church. There is also a centre for the physically handicapped in the Parish.
The Church
Christ Church is a Victorian Church built in 1872. With its two sister churches of St. Aidan's and St. Chad's it became a Team Ministry in 1978. In 1995 a major re-ordering and redecorating of the interior was completed. The Church now has a nave altar and a fresh look to it. In 1998 the roof was completely re-roofed. In 2002 the clock was repaired and the bell tower was strengthened. The bells were rehung and a new bell was also cast and added making a peel of 6 bells. A small group of members of the congregation have banded together to learn to ring the bells with the help of several experienced ringers from other churches. There are now 2 bellringing nights (Monday and Wednesday) and the bells are rung most Sunday mornings and at most Weddings. Click here to see a photo of our ringers (39kb).Next door to the Church there is a small church hall with a kitchen and toilets. Social activities, a Drop in Centre, meetings and other activities are held regularly in the hall. The hall has recently been refurbished with a new heating system, new kitchen, new toilets and other improvements. The nursery school next door is now using the hall for part of the week. The church has a thriving social / fundraising committee which organises a variety of activities including bingo, concerts, coffee evenings, outings, social evenings, meals and a regular winter fayre. The congregation take an active part in the services.
Christ Church is committed to renewal of peoples lives by God and renewal of
the Community. We are in the centre of the area designated for "New Deal for
Communities" and we are already working in partnership with the Community to
bring about its renewal.
We are actively involved with the local schools so that the young people of
our area know that the Christian faith is relevant and meaningful.
We are looking forward to an exciting future as clergy and lay people plan
and work together as a Team Ministry to build the Kingdom of God in the Parish
of Blakenall Heath.
Parish Records
Historic records of Christ Church, Blakenall Heath have been deposited at
Staffordshire Record Office, where they are available for consultation by
the public. These include the parish registers of baptisms 1871-1938, and
marriages 1873-1959.
A catalogue of these records is available in "Gateway to the Past" - the online catalogue of the
Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service. The Archive Service's
website provides further information on
planning a visit to the office to consult records, should you wish to do so.
Pictures of the Church
Click on individual picture or link to see large view in a separate window (16kb - 62kb).
Other Pictures of the Church Interior
Picture GalleriesThese are now accessed from the Galleries Page. Click here to go to that page.
Latest Galleries:- pictures taken of the Terry Bunn Memorial Window and Bench.
The Magazine
 Christ Church members produce a magazine ten months each year. 800 are produced each time and are given away both to members of the churches and to members of the community. A number are also given away in areas outside the parish such as Pelsall, Bloxwich, Penkridge and Walsall. The magazine is financed wholly from the advertising and is produced by the laity. Prices are £100 per annum for an A5 page , £60 per annum for a half page and £40 per annum for a quarter of a page. If you would like to advertise in the magazine please contact the webmaster.
PLEASE NOTE:- The Magazine is not being published at the moment.
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Priest / Leader |
Name |
Telephone / E-mail |
|---|
Team Rector
| Vacant | |
Mission Leaders
| Rev. Sarah & Ian | 07478217915
walsall@theminster.org |
| District Warden | Mrs Sheila Beeson | - |
| Reader | Mrs Sue Thompson | - |
| Reader | Mr Rob Thompson | - |
| Verger | Mrs Pauline Bate | - |
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Click on Picture
to see large view |
The Reredos behind the High Altar is made of oak, with paintings against a background of gold leaf. The central panel depicts the Crucified Saviour and on each side from north to south (left to right) are represented:-
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The Black Prince | John of Ailesbury |
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St. Mary the Virgin | St. Katherine of Alexandria |
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St. Stephen | St. John the Evangelist |
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William of Wykeham | William of Edington | |
| William of Edington who is holding a model of Edington Church (Wiltshire) is showing it to William of Wykeham who assisted in the building of the church.
It is from Edington Church that the then Vicar of Blakenall Heath, Rev'd Wardle presented it to Christ Church as a memorial to his mother Amelia Wardle who died at Blakenall Heath Vicarage on August 20th 1941.
The builder of Edington Church, William of Edington, was appointed Bishop of Winchester in 1345 and in 1357 he became Chancellor of England but it 1366 he declined the Archbishopric of Canterbury to which he had been elected.
Edward the Black Prince (the first figure) persuaded the Bishop to establish a house of the Order of Friars at Edington, and the first Rector of the Monastery there was John of Ailesbury (second figure). The Church was dedicated to the honour of St. Mary, St. Katherine and All Saints'.
The characters depicted in the Reredos panels were painted in 1887 by Miss E. Warre. |
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**** No Events are taking place during the Pandemic ****
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