The Hub
Christ Church
Thomas Henry Wyatt - Architect
Life was very hard in 1830's Derry Hill. Rev Stafford Brown (the first vicar of Christ Church) was determined to see Christ Church built and the light brought to those of the village.
The church’s foundation stone was laid on Monday July 29th 1839 by the Marquis of Lansdowne and the church opened in 1840.
Christ Church was built on land gifted by the Angell-Browns of Rumsey House, Black Dog Hill. The architect was Thomas Henry Wyatt (9 May 1807 – 5 August 1880). The familiar spire was an addition to the original design plans funded by the 3rd Marquis of Lansdowne at a cost of £111-10s-0d as a social gesture to match the gifted land.
In 1940 the church celebrated it’s centenary – at the time highlighting the 9 vicars over 100 years, the 2022 Baptisms, the 1007 marriages and the 1696 burials.
Notable burials include the 5th Marquis of Lansdowne, Frances Lysley (who built Pewsham House), the Angell family (who built Rumsey House) and John Spencer (founder of the Victorian Florist and Pomologist). The large stained glass East window of the church illustrates the Ascension of Our Lord and was erected in 1865 in memory of Caroline Lysley by her husband William John Lysley.
Today, Christ Church, is part of the Marden Vale Team Ministry and continues to serve Derry Hill and Studley. The church stands in the heart of the village between the vicarage, the primary school and the village hall.
Lysley window 1863
Beint window
The Old Vicarage
The 1 acre piece of land was gifted by Angell of Rumsey House. The foundation stone was laid by Mr B J Angell esq in 1842. The vicarage was built in 1843. The first vicar to move in was Rev Stafford Brown. In the 1980's the 1 acre plot was subdivided, the New Vicarage was built on half and the other half sold. Bethesda House was built in 1985/6.
