Christ Church
is situated in a thickly inhabited district called Newtown; the rapid increase in the population of this locality rendering additional church accommodation necessary, the present edifice was erected to supply the need. It was consecrated on October 23, 1838. The cost was £3,390 (including £1,000 for endowment, £100 for repair fund, &c.) The Rev. W. Gibson, formerly rector of St. Bride’s, Chester, and now rector of Fawley, Hampshire, gave £1,425; the then Bishop of Chester (Dr. Sumner), the Rev. Chancellor Raikes, and Miss Rowe, £100 each; H. Raikes, Esq., £55; the late General Beckwith, £50; W. Wardell, Esq., £50; the Diocesan Church Building Society, £500. The church is built in the early English style of architecture. The Rev. R. D. Thomas is the present incumbent.
St. Paul’s Church,
the most unsightly church in England probably, is situated near to Barrel Well, Boughton, and was built by public subscription, under the patronage of Bishop Blomfield and Bishop Sumner. It was erected in 1830, at the cost of about £2,000. It is capable of seating about 800 persons; 400 free sittings being appropriated for the poor. There is no endowment for the church, the income of the minister being derived from the pew rents. The present incumbent is the Rev. J. Gaman, M.A.
St. Olave’s Church
is situated on the east side of Lower Bridge-street, opposite Castle-street. It is a small, oblong structure, in outward appearance much resembling a barn. This church is of great antiquity, having been erected before the Norman Conquest. In the eleventh century it was possessed by the Botelars, by whom it was given, with two houses in the Market-place, to the Abbey of St. Werburgh, in 1101.
After the great civil war, St. Olave’s fell into disuse as a place of public worship, being only employed for baptisms and burials, on which occasions the minister of St. Michael’s officiated. It was, however, re-opened as a parish church about the middle of last century, and continued so until the year 1841, when service in the church was discontinued, and the parish united with that of St. Michael’s.
Little St. John’s.
We refer the reader to the notice we have already given of this ancient hospital and chapel in a former page. The present incumbent is the Rev. William Clarke, B.D.