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Daughter Churches - St George's Church, Jumpers Road.
 In
the late 1890s a Sunday School was started by Mrs Alica
Carter of Wick at 4 Fitzmaurice Road (the home of Mrs
Whiteley). A wood and galvanised iron building was built
in 1898 as a Place of Worship. The Sunday School moved
there and every Sunday the Rev George Seymour, whose
Christian name was used for the title of the church,
drove from Southbourne in a horse and carriage to take
the service.
In
1909 plans were approved for a Mission Church and School
Room, and a second-hand Tin church in Brighton was bought
and sent to Christchurch Railway Station in sections.
It was taken by wagon to the site.
In
1911 the church was not large enough to accommodate
the increased congregation, and it was decided that
a larger building should be erected. An appeal was launched.
The foundation stone was laid by Mr James Druitt JP
in August 1927, and St George's Church was dedicated
in 1928 by the Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Rev Dr Theodore
Woods. At that time there was oak panelling around the
sanctuary, but, unfortunately damaged by woodworm, this
had to be removed in 1957.
The
Centenary of the Church was celebrated in 1998. It now
serves an area of the Parish of Christchurch bounded
by the Rivers Avon and Stour and the main railway line
from Bournemouth to London.
The
stained glass windows in the apse show St George, the
Patron Saint of the Church and St Paul. There is a window
of Madonna and Child in the Lady Chapel.
The
turret was rebuilt in 1933 to take a new bell 3.5 cwt
(180 kg), made by Messrs John Taylor & Co.
The
altar in the Lady Chapel is the original one from the
Tin Church and on the rear pillar is a picture of a
Romanian 17th century St George.
The
lectern is made from 14th century oak taken from the
Priory Roof when repairs were carried out in 1883.
The
first organ was a pipe organ made by Bevington of London
in 1870. The present organ is electronic.
The
pulpit with its carved and painted picture of St George
and the Dragon, provided by a legacy, was dedicated
in 1958. The tapestry of the same subject was given
in 1998.
Many
things in the Church and the grounds, have been provided
by gift or legacy from past and present members of the
congregation.
Image
of St George's Church © Andy Clayton.
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