Christ Church Great Malvern

Also known as the Fiske Memorial Church Great Malvern.

GREAT MALVERN —In a limited competition for the proposed memorial church at this place, the plans of Messrs. T. D. Barry and Sons, of Liverpool, have been selected. Mr. Middleton, of Cheltenham, was consulted by the committee, to advise them in the matter. [Builder 10 May 1873 Page 371]

CHRIST CHURCH, GREAT MALVERN - This church, of which a view is given in our present number, is in course of erection as a memorial to the late Rev. Geo. Fisk, of Malvern. Six Architects were invited by the trustees to submit designs for the building, and the whole of the designs received (about twelve in number) were submitted to Mr Middleton, Architect, of Cheltenham, as referee, the result being the selection of the design now in progress. The style of the church is Middle Pointed. The building is rectangular on plan, consisting of chancel, 33 feet by 22 feet; chancel aisle, 33 feet by 13 feet on the south-east ; organ chamber, 15 feet by 13 feet ; and vestry adjoining, 15 feet by 13 feet on the north-east ; nave, 93 feet by 25 feet ; north and south aisles, 93 feet by 12 feet ; south porch, 10 feet by g feet; tower in centre of west front, 21 feet by 21 feet, and 76 feet high to cornice, with broach spire 92 feet high. At the east end of south aisle a small turret is introduced 8 feet by 8 feet, 40 feet high, surmounted by a small stone spire 20 feet high. The somewhat novel feature of a narthex is shown behind the porch, which together with the turret alluded to will have the effect of breaking up effectively the general mass of the building. The warming will be effected by Haden's process, the chamber being placed under the vestry. The church will provide ample accommodation for 708 adults, 3 feet being allowed in depth from back to back of each sitting. Provision is made in the chancel for 32 choristers. The plans have been approved by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, by the Incorporated Society, and by the Worcester Diocesan Church Extension Society. The walls will be built of the local stone, lined with brick, and the external facing will be of Cradley stone, pitch faced, squared, and coursed. The dressings will be of Bath stone. The roofs will be open-timbered to the apex, and the benches will be of pitch pine, varnished. The reading-desk will be of oak, and the pulpit and font of Caen stone. The several passages and floors of tower, porch, and chancel are to be of pattern tiles, those in the chancel being of richer pattern. The roofs are to be covered with Broseley tiles in bands of varied colour. The contract has been taken by Mr Hugh Yates, of Liverpool, for the sum of £6,000, and the whole is being carried out under the direction of the Architects, Messrs T. D. Barry and Sons, 28, Church-street, Liverpool. Mr George Morgan is Clerk of the Works [British Architect  17 April 1874 page 249]

Reference    Builder 10 May 1873 Page 371
Reference    British Architect  17 April 1874 page 249 with illustration