Christ Church
Bedford, Bedfordshire
Modern and welcoming city church.
Much of the building, including the tall spire, is Victorian or later but it has a much older core.
The general style is Perpendicular, with a spacious and lofty feel to the interior: the piers are slender and the aisles are the same height as the nave. Earlier features that remain include the two storey Early English south porch and the 15th century roofs of the nave and south aisle, with fine carving that can be viewed at closer range from the gallery.
Many striking pieces of original craftsmanship were skilfully reused in the restoration of the choir stalls, with misericords that include one of Bedford Castle, and in the stone pulpit, which was made in 1680 from recycled medieval stonework. It was used by John Wesley to preach a famous sermon in 1758.
The Trinity Chapel is another medieval survivor, from 1416, and this was 'adopted' by the BBC during World War II, when it was used for broadcasting the Daily Service.