Christ Church Alsager, an active Anglican parish church, is part of the Church of England within the Diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Macclesfield and the deanery of Congleton.
Christ Church Alsager provides worship services on Sundays and midweek, and holds weddings, baptisms and funerals. It also provides a range of activities that are available for all ages.
The church built in 1790 is a Grade II* listed building. It was designed by architect Thomas Stringer and paid for by three "Ladies of the Manor of Alsager", Mary, Margaret and Judith Alsager.
To celebrate the centenary of the church a new organ was acquired and dedicated in 1889.
It was a chapel of ease to St Bertoline's Church, Barthomley, and in 1946 it became a parish church.
SOURCE: (
visit link) (
visit link)
(
visit link)
The Grade II* listed description given by Historic England reads as follows;
"ALSAGER FORMER U.D. CHURCH ROAD SJ 75 NE 6/4 Church of Christ - GV II*
Church. 1789-90. By Thomas Stringer for the Misses Alsager.
Yellow Keuper sandstone. Western tower. Nave and apsidal chancel.
Western front: central, slightly projecting tower with blank walling to either side. Clasping pilaster buttresses to the corners of the front and the tower. On the tower these rise to a frieze and pediment. The central double doors have raised and fielded panels and a fanlight. To either side are Tuscan demi-columns supporting a frieze and pediment which has an acroterion block to its top.
The clock stage above this has a round clock face set in a recessed rectangular panel with an arched top.
Above this is the belfry stage which has paired Ionic pilasters to the corners and a round-arched louvred belfry opening to the centre with projecting keystone and moulded springers, and Y-tracery. Dentilled cornice above which is a balustrade. The clock and belfry stages are similarly arranged to the other 3 sides.Nave: the south face has 6 bays divided by ashlar pilasters which have moulded bases and caps and stand on plain plinths. The window openings have round-arched heads with moulded springers and hood moulds. The window at left has 8 x 11 panes with intersecting glazing bars to the top, the rest have all been replaced by later stained glass. Doorway to second bay from left with Tuscan demi-columns to either side supporting a pediment and frieze and enclosing a blank tympanum. The doorway is now blocked with a window to its upper body. The north side is similar save that the door is to the second bay from the right and not blocked. The eastern end has blank walling to either side of the semi-circular apsidal chancel which has 3 curving bays of similar type to those in the nave and blank half-bays nearest to the corners. A series of ashlar urns decorated with swags of foliage originally sat on the piers of the balustrade to the top of the nave and tower walling but these have been removed, two of them remaining in the churchyard adjacent to the western wall.
Interior: Gallery at west with raised and fielded panelling to the front supported on two monolithic Tuscan columns. Similar raised and fielded panelling to dado height in the nave and also the chancel where it is divided by fluted pilasters and has upper panels with rinceau ornament. Frieze at level of springing of windows and coved ceiling.
Listing NGR: SJ7889355664" SOURCE: (
visit link)
"The elegant western tower is constructed in four stages; the lower
section serves as the porch and main entrance into the church.
Immediately above is the ringers' chamber, the clock floor, and the
belfry. Panelled recesses on all four sides of the tower are used to
advantage to accommodate the clock faces, and the belfry windows
are similar to those in the body of the church, with the exception
of central mullions, so placed to permit the use of stone louvers.
Lesser demi-pilasters occur at either side of the belfry windows,
and the tower is completed by a rail of stone balusters set between
corner and centre piers, each surmounted by large and boldly cut
urns.
There is a ring of eight bells inscribed as follows:
No. 1. J. Taylor, Loughborough.
To commemorate the Coronation of Edward VII. R.E.T.I.
This bell was dedicated June 26th, 1902.
W. H. Bishop & James Edwards,
Churchwardens.
No. 2. J. Taylor, Loughborough.
In loving memory of his sisters, E. & H. P. Shaw.
Rev. D. Shaw, Incumbent of Christ Church, dedicated this bell,
June 26th, 1902.
No. 3. To the memory of our dear father this bell is dedicated.
John Francis Thomas Corbett and William Brundrett Maddock.
1893.
No. 4. We Praise Thee O God.
Cast by J. Rudhall of Gloucester, 1795.
Re-cast by J. Taylor, Loughborough, 1893.
No. 5. The bells of Christ Church cast by J. Rudhall of
Gloucester 1790.
Re-cast by J. Taylor, Loughborough, 1893.
No. 6. Peace and Good Neighbour. 1790.
Re-cast 1893, by J. Taylor.
No. 7. INO Stringer.
Undertaker and Builder of this Church, 1790.
Re-cast by J. Taylor. 1893.
No. 8. This Church was built and endowed at the Expense of
Miss Mary and Miss Margaret and Miss Judith Alsager, 1790.
Re-cast by J. Taylor 1893."
SOURCE: (
visit link)
Details for the bells can be seen on the Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers site at the following link: (
visit link)
There are 36 valid peals listed for this tower, details can be seen on the Felstead Database at the following link: (
visit link)