Description:Christ Church stands at the corner of Chapel Lane and Commonside in Gentleshaw. Its somewhat eccentric appearance can be explained by its construction history.
Originally built as a chapel of ease in the Parish of Longdon, the first building consisted of a short nave and transepts with a belfry, opened on 28 August 1837 by the Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt. Rev. Samuel Butler. The battlemented west tower was added in the late 1850s. In 1877 the church was extended, with a vestry and apsidal chancel added to the east end. In 1903 a large new chancel, extension to the nave, organ chamber and transepts (for the Choir Vestry and Vicar's Vestry) was opened. Built by Thomas Mason of Hednesford to designs by architects Joyce and Sandy of Stafford, it was originally intended to have been part of a larger scheme which was never finished. Therefore, the earlier church still stands as part of the structure
This photograph appears to have been taken soon after the 1903 extension was completed, seen here as the tallest part of the building to the right. The roofing of the earlier parts seems to be in poor condition. The man may be the sexton.
This postcard was posted from Gentleshaw to Miss Hannah Fairley (aged about 15) in Wigan by her sister Bessie. On August 14th 1913, Bessie writes that it is the Sunday School Treat that afternoon. They had tea at the school and then went on to the Vicarage grounds. Some of the teachers went to the school to prepare the tea.