Beauty that speaks of faith
Christ Church is one of Adelaide’s distinctive historic churches. Its Anglo-Norman architecture, sacred art and Christian symbols do more than decorate the building: they direct attention to the Gospel and the worship of God.
Architecture with a living purpose
Opened and consecrated in 1849, Christ Church is a notable example of Romanesque Revival architecture, often described as Anglo-Norman.
The church was built from limestone obtained from government quarries on the banks of the River Torrens. Contemporary records credit William Weir with the church and Henry Stuckey with the Rectory and Bishop’s Court, while Stuckey was also associated with the church’s interior fittings.
Later additions have sought to work sympathetically with the church’s distinctive architectural language.
Christ Church has served North Adelaide as a place of worship since 1849.
The pulpit joins craftsmanship and Christian symbolism with the proclamation of the Gospel.
Proclaiming the Good News
Completed as part of the 2011 liturgical reordering, the pulpit was designed to harmonise with the architecture of Christ Church and to direct attention towards the heavenly worship described in Holy Scripture.
Its Norman forms echo features found throughout the church: arches supported on corbels, dogtooth ornament and the diamond pattern around the wall of the apse. Four arched onyx panels carry gilded geometric decoration and images associated with the four Evangelists.
The fourfold Gospel
The figures engraved on the pulpit come from the vision around the throne of heaven in the Revelation of St John. Christian tradition associates them with the four Evangelists.
St Matthew
The man, recalling the humanity of Christ.
St Mark
The lion, a symbol of courage and royal strength.
St Luke
The ox, associated with sacrifice and service.
St John
The eagle, whose vision rises towards heaven.
Worship expressed through craftsmanship
Above the pulpit is a tester, or canopy. Historically, a tester helped project the preacher’s voice and gave the pulpit a clear visual setting.
The tester is made principally of onyx and is supported by a steel Maltese Cross. This reflects the association between Christ Church and the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, for which Christ Church is the conventual church in South Australia.
The eight-pointed Maltese Cross is sometimes called the Beatitudes Cross. Its points recall Christ’s blessings and the Christian calling to works of mercy for people in need or distress.
The eight points recall the Beatitudes and a life of Christian mercy.
The Chi Rho
Christ Church has adopted the Chi Rho as its parish symbol.
The Chi Rho is one of the earliest Christian monograms. It is formed by superimposing the first two capital letters—Chi and Rho (ΧΡ)—of the Greek word Christos, meaning Christ.
The symbol holds together the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It proclaims that the one who died is risen and that, through Christ, life has triumphed over death.
Details that reward attention
The whole building tells one story through stone, glass, timber, pattern and light.
Nave and sanctuary
The architectural rhythm draws worshippers towards the sanctuary and the celebration of the sacraments.
Glass and sacred light
Colour and light enrich the worshipping space and change as the day moves across the church.
Stone and ornament
Rounded forms and repeating patterns give Christ Church its unmistakable Anglo-Norman character.
Historic beauty, living worship
Christ Church is historically and architecturally significant, but it remains first and foremost a place of Christian worship. Its art and architecture are best understood when the church is filled with prayer, Scripture, sacred music and the celebration of the sacraments.