Although the parish church had been rebuilt in 1830–31, its centralised location made it difficult for some inhabitants to attend services.

The proposed chapel of ease was intended to serve the inhabitants of Downside, Benter and Clapton, all of whom were two to four miles from the parish church.

The Bishop of Bath and Wells donated a plot of land for the new church,[2] and the plans were drawn up by John Pinch.

[3] Christ Church underwent restoration and reseating in 1897, which included replacing the pews with new ones of pitch pine, laying new flooring and adding new altar steps, choir stalls and a vestry.

[1] It was designed to accommodate 272 persons and made up of a three-bay nave, chancel and west porch.