Christ Church, New Malden

Christ Church is an evangelical Church located in the suburb of New Malden in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Greater London. Established on 3 December 1866, Christ Church is part of the Church of England, and is located in the Kingston Episcopal Area of the Diocese of Southwark.[3] As of August 2022, Christ Church claims a weekly attendance of 750.[1] The current vicar is Stephen Kuhrt, serving since 2007.

Christ Church
Christ Church in 2010
LocationNew Malden, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Greater London, England
CountryUnited Kingdom
DenominationEvangelical
Weekly attendance750[1]
Websiteccnm.org
History
Founded3 December 1866 (1866-12-03)
Founder(s)Reverend Charles Stirling
Consecrated1866 by Bishop Charles Summer
Architecture
Architect(s)Brandon and Freshwater
Years builtApril–3 December 1866
Administration
DioceseSouthwark
Episcopal areaKingston Episcopal Area
Clergy
Vicar(s)Stephen Kuhrt[2]

New Malden was a speedily growing town, with its first seven residential streets built throughout the late 1850s. On 17 November 1865, Charles Stirling, first vicar of Christ Church, proposed its construction to the New Malden Local Board, with the opening and consecration of Christ Church taking place on 3 December 1866. The Church was enlarged with a new chancel and sacristy on 23 February 1878. On 12 November 1892, Stirling retired as vicar. Another extension to the church was built in 1966, with said hall later being demolished and replaced with a new entrance and new halls between 2017 and October 2018.

History

New Malden was a speedily growing town, with its first seven residential streets built throughout the late 1850s. Reverend Charles Stirling, an evangelical Christian, noticed the need for a church in New Malden, and so on 17 November 1865 Stirling sent out a public notice to the New Malden Local Board requesting the permission to construct a church. He estimated that the cost would be "about £2,000".[4] Prince George, Duke of Cambridge, owner of the land, gave it to Christ Church.[5] The building of the Church commenced in April 1866, with its foundation stone laid on 12 June.[6] The opening and consecration of Christ Church took place on 3 December. It was consecrated by the Diocese of Winchester, Charles Sumner, in a ceremony that was attended by a large congregation. That same day, Stirling was formally appointed as the first vicar of Christ Church.[7][8]

On 23 February 1878, the Church was reopened and consecrated by the Bishop of Rochester, Anthony Thorold, after the Church was enlarged with a new chancel and sacristy.[9] The chancel was provided by the Sim family as a memorial to their parents John Carsgoyne Sim and wife Margaretta.[10] On 12 November 1892, Stirling resigned as vicar of Christ Church after serving for 25 years.[11] He gave his last sermon that Sunday.[12] That same day, the board of trustees appointed William Allen Challacombe to the vicarage of Christ Church.[13] He arrived in New Malden in January 1893. Christ Church was once again extended in 1894, taking a form still recognisable today as of 2022.[14]

Another extension to the church was built in 1966 on its west side, named the Vestry Hall,[15] followed by the addition of a lounge and kitchen in 1981.[16] New halls and a new entrance were constructed between 2017 and October 2018.

Vicars

Since Christ Church's foundation in 1866, there have been ten vicars. The current vicar is Stephen Kuhrt, serving since 2007.[17]

Name From Until
Charles Stirling 3 December 1866[8] 12 November 1892[11]
William Allen Challacombe 12 November 1892[13] August 1920[17]
Alvan Birkett 1921[17] 20 June 1935[18]
Arthur Willoughby Habershon[17] 1935 1944
Claude Bartle[17] 1944 1958
Llewellyn Edwin Lloyd Roberts[17] 1958 1968
Peter Coombs[17] 1968 1975
John Short 1976[19] 1990[19]
Stewart Downey 1991[17] 2006[20]
Stephen Kuhrt 2007 Incumbent[17]

References
  1. "About us". CCNM.org. Christ Church New Malden. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  2. Davies, Madeleine (4 August 2021). "Bishop of Southwark lifts vicar's suspension". Church Times. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  3. "New Malden, Christ Church". Diocese of Southwark. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  4. Stirling, Charles (17 November 1865). "Proposed New Church and District for New Malden and Coombe, Surrey". Letter to New Malden Local Board – via the National Archives. A Plan for a Church of the size required has been furnished by a competent architect, and the estimated cost is about £2,000.
  5. Everson, Tim (2011). New Malden Through Time. Amberley Publishing. p. 24. ISBN 978-1-445-62963-6.
  6. "Laying the Foundation Stone of Christ Church New Malden". Reading Mercury. 16 June 1866. p. 6. Retrieved 1 September 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. "Consecration of Christ Church". Surrey Comet. 8 December 1866. p. 6. Retrieved 1 September 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. "Consecration of Christ Church New Malden". Reading Mercury. 15 December 1866. p. 2. Retrieved 1 September 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. "Re-opening of Christ Church, New Malden". Surrey Advertiser. 23 February 1878. p. 5. Retrieved 1 September 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. "Rural Deanery of Kingston". Accounts and Papers. 13: 141. 1892. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  11. "New Malden". Surrey Comet. 12 November 1892. p. 7. Retrieved 1 September 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  12. "Miscellaneous". The People. 13 November 1892. p. 12. Retrieved 1 September 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  13. "Clerical appointment". London Evening Standard. 12 November 1892. p. 8. Retrieved 1 September 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  14. "Building Christ Church: 1893 to 1920". CCNM.org. Christ Church New Malden. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  15. "Building Christ Church: 1958 to 1968". CCNM.org. Christ Church New Malden. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  16. "Building Christ Church: 1976 to 1990". CCNM.org. Christ Church New Malden. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  17. "The Story of Christ Church". CCNM.org. Christ Church New Malden. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  18. "New Vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Redhill". Surrey Mirror. 28 June 1935. p. 8. Retrieved 1 September 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  19. Barker, Elaine. "The Rectors of St Stephens, Great Wigborough". Mersea Island Museum. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  20. "Busy time ahead for 140-year-old church". Surrey Comet. 16 June 2006. Retrieved 1 September 2022.

51°24′25″N 0°15′27″W

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