Christ Church Main Building

1965 – Present

In 1953, the parish boundaries changed, and Christ Church became part of the Billericay parish. The Mission Hall continued to serve the locality until the population of Billericay boomed in the 1960s, after which it was replaced with a larger building.

The present Christ Church main building was constructed next to the old Mission Hall in 1965 (see diagram right) , and consecrated on December 11 that year, by the Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt. Revd John Tiarks. Over time it has had several major additions, the first of which was a scout hut, built in 1971. The original site was longer than it is now, extending about 420 feet from the road. In 1973, some of the land was sold, giving way to Chestwood Close, but also giving us a vicarage within a short walking distance from the church. Later, in 1982, the original Mission Hall was finally knocked down and a new ‘church hall’ was built behind the church. The most recent addition was finished in 2004, when an atrium was built to connect the main building to the church hall.

By 2016, the roof was leaking badly, and the drainage system needed repairing. After much prayer and investigation, grants from various funding bodies were made available, together with some church savings, and the necessary repairs were completed

Above: The construction of ChristChurch in 1965. In total the building cost £32,000 to complete.

Above: The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt. Revd John Tiarks, begins the ceremony of consecration at Christ Church , December 11, 1965

Below: Christ Church interior shortly after it was completed, featuring a mixture of chairs at the front and pews at the back

Above: The opening of Christ Church as it appeared in the local press the following week (old copy)