There was a lack of free seats for use by the poorer inhabitants of the parish and the demand for accommodation was even higher during the summer months when there was also an influx of visitors.

Talbot A. Greaves, on 7 September 1866, which resulted in the formation of a committee tasked with raising the funds for a new church and a sub-committee for finding an eligible site.

An offer from the trustees of the Middle School for the free use of their upper room as a temporary place of worship for up to 300 people was also accepted, along with the approval of a second curate for the parish at an annual stipend of £140.

[5] Due to the nature of the ground, the architect recommended that concrete foundations should be laid across the entire site prior to any construction work.

[8] The church finished in 1874 was approximately two-thirds of the original design and it was anticipated that extension work would be carried out when funds allowed in the future, but this never materialised.

The bells were cast by John Taylor & Co of Loughborough and chimed by machinery from Messrs Lund and Blockley of London, who were also responsible for their installation.

Between 1933 and 1938, the highest attendance figures recorded at the church amounted to "merely a handful of people" and only 19 baptisms and four marriages had been held in that period.

It was envisioned that they would serve roles such as wardens, sidesmen and lay readers, a children's church council would be formed and an unordained young man aged between 18 and 25 would act as the vicar.

E. L. Langston, based on past projects in Wimbledon and Seven Kings where he had allowed children to conduct their own services in parish halls.

A trial period began on 6 August 1939, but the project did not come to fruition due to the outbreak of World War II the following month.

Langston stated that the primary reason was that the large church had "so many windows that it would be impossible to black it out, but also the departure of the curate, Rev.

[20] In the early period of the war, Christ Church became a wartime social centre, primarily for evacuees but also local residents.

It was made up of a nave, north and south aisles, chancel, vestibule, organ chamber and a 124 feet high tower, with its slate-roofed spire and belfry.