Christ Church

Christ Church stands in Welshpool as a large Romanesque Revival church designed by Thomas Penson between 1839 and 1844. Built from volcanic trachyte from the Earl of Powis’ local quarry, it features a seven-bay nave, aisles, an apse, and a west tower. The west gable has a triple-arched doorway with chevron moulding, while massive pilaster buttresses support the tower. Inside, the church is noted for its early use of terracotta in arches and vaulting, a material Penson experimented with from Oswestry’s brickyards. The interior includes scalloped capitals, a clerestory, and a flat ceiling, giving it a grand Romanesque appearance. The church’s interior decoration is particularly noteworthy, with finely cast terracotta fonts, carved woodwork featuring the Earl of Powis’ family pews, and an 1817 organ by Gray. Encaustic floor tiles, some by Minton, add to the decorative scheme, alongside stained glass by David Evans and A. O. Hemming. The churchyard holds graves of notable figures, including members of the Earls of Powis’ family and twelve Commonwealth war graves from both world wars. After falling into disuse in the 20th century, the church was restored in the 2000s by Karl Meredith and Natalie Bass. Today, it serves partly as a home and partly for community use, preserving its architectural and historical significance. The restoration highlights the church’s terracotta work and woodcarvings, ensuring its legacy continues. Visitors can admire the craftsmanship of its furnishings and the quiet dignity of its churchyard.