About Us

Christchurch, Forestside, was built in 1852 by Charles Dixon, a wealthy Victorian philanthropist and the owner of nearby Stansted House, to serve his estate workers and the village of Forestside. The parish was formed from parts of Stoughton and Up Marden, and has now been combined with them again as part of the parish of the Octagon. The church is of flint masonry with Caen stone dressings. The East window is a Jesse Window with an unusual dragon in the bottom right hand corner, whose origin is unknown. The heads on the chancel arch are a young Queen Victoria and a Bishop of Chichester, possibly St Richard. The adjoining school has been closed for many years and is now a private house. 

The chapel at Stansted House is no longer open for regular public worship but is used occasionally for special services and for the blessing of civil marriages conducted in the house. For more information about the chapel, click HERE.

The church is open for quiet contemplation at all times.

For more information about the history and architecture of this church, click HERE.