The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1849-01-23 00:00:00

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THE UNERPOOL STANDARD.

CHRIST CHURCH, OXTON.

This new edifice, in Claughton-cum-Grange, (Oxton,)
is now completed, and will be opened for divine service in
about a month. It is. though not florid in ornament,
one of the most beautiful and effective ecclesiastical strac-
tures on the Cheshire side of the Mersey, and does much
credit to the parties who have contributed towards its
erection, as well as to the architect, and the contractors
for the work. The site is exceedingly appropriate—being
on the eastern side of the acclivity of the hill on which
stands the increasing and select hamlet, or rather village
of Oxton ; and sufficiently elevated to form a conspicuous
object for miles round.

The church (in plan) is cruciform, with a handsome
well proportioned steeple. It is in the early English
Gothic style of architecture, and though not elaborate in
details, is so well combined in the several parts as to present
a richness of appearance rarely attained in buildings rather
plain than pretending. It is built of good red freestone,
and is two lofty stories in height from the level of the
ground. The lower story is appropriated as the school,
which occupies, in one immense cruciform apartment, the
whole of the ground floor, with the exception of a portion
at the west end, where the ground rises, and at the ex-
tremity of which stands the steeple. The roof has consi-
derable pitch in accordance with the style. The stone is
chiselled throughout, and the whole of the masonry most
faithfully put together. The main windows are of the
lancet form in both stories. The large window at the
east end, to light the Communion, consists of three lancet
lights, the centre one taller than the other two. and giv-
ing the whole the appearance, at a distance, of one pointed
Gothic arch. This, though glazed in diamonds, is as yet
a blank window, being built up inside until the funds will
admit of its being filled in with handsome stained glass.
Over this there is a fine wheel window, with massive tra-
cery, and already glazed with bright coloured glass. Be-
sides this, at each side of the chancel, there are two lancet
windows of plain glass. Each of the transepts is lighted
by a similar combination of triple or three light lancet
windows, with a stained glass wheel over each to corres-
pond. The whole pile is supported by buttresses, taste-
fully disposed, and not overdone in projection. The
gables of the transepts show great architectural taste in
design, and, without being florid, have an admirable and
substantial effect.

The two entrances, or doorways, north and south, at the
east end of the building, are finished in the neatest style
of the pointed arch. The stairs' leading to the body of
the church are well executed in fine stone, with hand-
some railings. The appearance of the interior of the
church is highly pleasing, from its great size, height, and
cheerfulness. The roof is what is called an open one, and
is enriched with interior varnished oak work of elegant
and appropriate design. The ceiling (if it may be so
called) is composed of diagonal planking in larch, stained
and varnished to represent oak. The pews are most com-
modious, all in oak, or stained wood resembling it, and
with sloping backs. Those in the chancels rise gradually
from the front to the back, giving the congregation a
full view and hearing of the pastor, There is a spacious
gallery over each of these portions, with the seats also
rising backwards. Thepulpit is on the left of the front of the
communion table, and the reading desk on- the right, so
that any one in the remotest seat may see both, as well as
the table. The fronts of the galleries (which span the
entire width of the transepts without the obstruction of
columns or pillars) are finished in oak panelling, repre-
senting a succession of gothic arches.

The pulpit is a very beautitul and chaste specimen of
gothic design and ofsectagonal form, expanding from a cor-
responding upright shaft, and enriched with gothic carving
in arch-work. The upper part is classically supported by
angels, or cherubim on the wing, each holding a book.
This, as well as the reading-desk, is finely carved in
real oak.

There are numerous free sittings for the poor, a number
of them close to the pulpit, in the middle aisle. They
are precisely like the others, no invidious distinction being
made between the free and the appropriated seats.
The organ-loft is in a recess formed in the steeple, and
is lighted by a stained glass qu-atre,feuille window. The
walls are coloured in a warm buff tint ; ventilation and
heating have been especially attended to, and all gives
assurance of more than ordinary comfort and accommo-
dation. The church ha 3 in all 1200 sittings.
The clergyman appointed to the incumbency by Mr.
James Ball, the new patron, is the Rev. William Francis
Taylor, chaplain to the most ncble the Marquis of Sligo..
The rev. gentleman has officiated for nearly twelve months
as curate of the neighbouring church of St. Catherine's,
Tranmere. As Mr. Taylor bears the reputation of being
not only an eloquent man,. but remarkably indefatigable
in visiting the poor—by whom he is much beloved—this
fine church will, no doubt, be well attended.