Christ Church Turnham Green Celebrating 175 Years

The 'Beacon on the Green' is the beating heart of its community

Christ Church Turnham Green, the iconic landmark situated in the centre of Chiswick on Turnham Green and considered of special historic interest by the London Borough of Hounslow, will be turning 175 years.

Commissioned in 1841 to serve the growing population of the suburb of Turnham Green, Christ Church was completed in 1843, costing at the time £6,900!

To celebrate the 175th Birthday, Christ Church Turnham Green will be holding a special service and drinks reception on 25th November, which would be open to everyone in celebrating its birthday.

Local MP Ruth Cadbury who will be attending the celebratory service and drinks reception said, “A very happy 175th birthday to Christ Church! Not only is the church an iconic building at the centre of Chiswick set in a beautiful green space, but is a thriving space at the heart of our community life, serving the spiritual and practical needs of local people. I have been to church services, election hustings and public meetings about issues of local concern here, and I love that during the day children and their carers are welcomed at many different activities. I wish Christ Church all the very best for the next 175 years!”

Over the year’s Christ Church has grown to become a cornerstone to serving and supporting the W4 community. Karen Liebreich MBE of Abundance London, (pictured above) responsible for the Chiswick timeline commented, “Christ Church is one of Chiswick's landmarks, as we celebrated when we created the Chiswick Timeline, and also one of the most welcoming local churches for the community (including non-Christians). Happy 175th birthday and good luck for the centuries to come”.

Picture postcard 1905 of the Church

Among its many projects, Christ Church pioneered the Shelter Project Hounslow Borough (providing accommodation and meals for homeless men during the winter and helping them find employment and permanent homes), which received the Queens Award for Voluntary Services.

Christ Church, Turnham Green, has been instrumental in preventing the closure of two other churches in the area and has incorporated these sites to become a multi-site church (known as Christ Church W4). St Alban’s on Acton Green was due to be sold to developers and Christ Church supported the community in saving the church from being turned into a block flats. The Mission Hall on Cunnington Street was also unsustainable and joined with Christ Church to merge their vision to reach out into the community.

Richard Moy, (above) Vicar of Christ Church W4 since January 2012 says, “For everyone in Chiswick it’s an iconic beacon on the green, and to many it’s also the beating heart of the community. With a cafe serving lunch and connecting people together, 7 stay and play groups a week, 3 different youth groups, seniors activities, and 5 worship services, Christ Church Turnham Green is a constant hive of activity and fun. It is the host for big civic occasions, school productions, the annual homeless shelter and key moments in individual's lives in the community. Come along and celebrate 175 years of its story so far on Sunday 25 November. The bouncy castles and soft play will be out, and there will be a chance to see memorabilia from as far back as 1848. God has taken us on an extraordinary journey so far, and there will be a glass of bubbly for everyone to celebrate his work after the short all age thanksgiving service at 10:30 AM”.

Newspaper cutting

Celebratory 175th Birthday Service 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Sunday 25 November 2018
Christ Church Turnham Green
Town Hall Avenue, Chiswick, W4 5DT
Type: All Ages
Followed by Drinks Reception

November 22, 2018