Christ Church

Christ Church stands in Hampstead, a village-like district on the northern edge of London. Built between 1850 and 1852, it is an Early English Gothic church designed by Samuel Daukes. The walls are made of Kentish ragstone with Portland stone dressings and slate roofs. A primary school was added in 1855, originally for infants and later expanded to include kindergarten and primary children. Clement Attlee, who became Prime Minister, was married here in 1922. The church has strong links to its past. A timber gallery was added in 1860 by Sir Gilbert Scott and removed in the 1960s. The north porch and aisle were added in 1881–82 by Ewan Christian. The tower contains eight bells, the heaviest weighing 24 cwt, installed in 2005 after Michael Royalton-Kisch raised £100,000. The bells are rung on Wednesday evenings and for most Sunday services. Inside, a small tracker-action organ stands at the rear after the original Henry Willis organ was dismantled. Famous organists once played here, including Henry Willis, Henry Walford Davies and Cyril Rootham. The church remains a quiet place near Hampstead Heath, offering a glimpse of 19th-century church life in London.