About Us
The parish of Christ Church is situated on the north eastern edge of Bradford-on-Avon in Wiltshire. The church stands on one of the highest points of the town and its spire is visible for many miles.
The parish is largely residential. Christ Church Primary School (C of E controlled) and the church share a common boundary, the church being used for school services. St Laurence School (secondary) is close by in the neighbouring parish of Holy Trinity.
Christ Church is an open, friendly church and our doors are open every day from 10am to 4pm; we welcome those who wish to pray, to sit in quiet or attend our services. Level access to the church is by our main west door. Our churchyard is now closed to new burials. A folder inside the church on a board near the pulpit steps contains a list of those whose burial plot is known, together with a plan indicating its position.
Sunday services include Holy Communion, our informal Refresh service, Morning Prayer and occasionally Compline. Our four congregations hold a monthly joint service, in one of the four churches in turn. Christ Church also has a monthly Wednesday said Communion service, with coffee/tea after, and an occasional weekday Compline service.
The Ark Baby & Toddler cafe meets weekly on Thursdays in term time, and Open the Book sessions take place in Christ Church Primary School. There are also Bible study house groups. The united Holy Trinity and Christ Church Mother's Union branch meets at Holy Trinity.
The pupils of the large local primary school use the church for their end of term services, concerts, carol services and festivals. Teachers often use the church as a teaching space, and Open the Book and Collective Worship run by the church is a regular part of the school week.
Since 2021 we have been fundraising to (a) install toilets, kitchen, office and storage areas in the nave, and (b) restore, conserve and repair parts of the church. A 2023 National Lottery Heritage Grant enabled us to conserve late Victorian wall paintings, clean the stained glass windows, repair the tower clock and a stone pinnacle, work on the bell frame and bells, alongside planting native shrubs and small trees in part of the churchyard, assisted by groups of school children. And alongside this, a community outreach officer run a programme of craft events for older people in our community and schoolchildren.
These events have also helped our fundraising for kitchen and toilets. We thank everyone who has donated or raised money for these facilities, and especially the person who made the many grant applications on our behalf. We reached our target by Easter 2025, and contracted a firm of builders who have worked on other church buildings. Starting in April 2025, they expect to complete work at the end of September.
The church remained open during the conservation work, and the conservators and craftworkers have given open session talks on their work. We also remain open during the current building work with a wire mesh screen dividing work area from church use area, and different doors for entry.
While we now have the funds to upgrade the church for a variety of occasions and events, we also cover running costs. Our small congregation is generous in giving, but donations of any size would help us support our community. So if you know Christ Church, maybe were baptised or married here, attended Sunday School or got to know us through our close links with the school, could you please consider helping our efforts by donating via our Give A Little campaign.
https://givealittle.co/campaigns/348fecb5-74e7-4c75-90ad-be78d59210da
For fuller information on the two projects, please see the Future for Christ Church page.
The parish is part of the Benefice of North Bradford-on-Avon and Villages, along with the parishes of St. James (South Wraxall), St. Nicholas (Winsley) and St. Peter (Monkton Farleigh).