The Octagon group of Churches includes Christ Church, Forestside which was constructed in 1852 as an estate church, gifted by Charles Dixon of Stansted Park. However, unlike the other churches in the group, Christ Church did not have Listed Building Status.
It was decided to address this issue, and so an application was made to Historic England in May 2025 to gain Listed Building Status. In order to do this careful research was necessary to put together a heritage statement which would provide evidence to justify the application. Research was hindered by the fact that all drawings and records of the building had been lost in the Stansted House Fire in 1900. The name of the architect was unknown.
Many hours were spent searching through Lambeth Palace, West Sussex, Havant Museum Archives and many other sources. Guidance was sought from our resident historian Jenny Dolman who shared her time and expert knowledge very generously regarding Stansted Park (Dolman J, Charles Dixon and his Legacy - 2005).
All findings were brought together within the Heritage Statement and application information required by Historic England.
Historic England registered the application and carried out a full site inspection in August 2025. Positive feedback was given; however, they explained that they wanted to check further archives available to them.
We waited patiently and were excited to hear of any findings that they made including, for example, a reference regarding our Church in the ‘The London Gazette, 12 February 1856 – ‘at the Court at Buckingham Palace. The 30th day of January 1856’.
Historic England commented that the church is notable due to its originality and architectural sophistication departing from the mid-C19 historicist norms, anticipating later ecclesiastical styles.
Two Victorian architecture and stained-glass specialists strongly supported designation, noting the building’s architectural quality, imaginative detailing and unusual integrated arrangement with the former school building complex.
We received official notice that Christ Church has been granted Grade II Listed Status as from July 31st, 2026. Principal reasons for Listing are as shown below
Architectural interest:
- as a well-composed and executed Gothic Revival church of 1852-1855, displaying considerable originality and architectural flair in its spatial handling and detailing;
- for its complete set of high-quality, contemporary fixtures and features, including richly carved stonework to the windows, chancel arch corbels and font, and chancel woodwork such as the altar table, altar rails and panelling, unified by recurring ogee motifs;
- for its well-executed east window, notable for its distinctive design and iconography, high-quality stained glass and stencil decoration.
Historic interest:
- as a notable example of a bespoke philanthropic church built as part of an integrated charitable complex in the 1850s, its design and decorative programme expressing the social and religious values espoused by its patron, Charles Dixon.’
A full reasoning for designation was included within the advice report from Historic England which is extremely interesting and will make us cherish and appreciate Christ Church even further.
Thanks to all those who helped by sharing information and time regarding the background research for this application. Hopefully the Listing of the church safe guards its future for many generations to come.
Mandana Ghajar RIBA